Don’t buy an e-scooter and enable your child to break the law

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has urged parents not to buy electric scooters for their children for Christmas.

It is legal to buy an e-scooter in the UK however insurance is required and it is not currently possible to get insurance for these devices. This means it is illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres.

In contrast to privately owned e-scooters, the official rental schemes are regulated and subject to controlled use in the local area hosting the trials. In order to use a rental electric scooter, riders must hold a provisional or full driver’s license with the rental company insuring the scooter.

PCC Donna Jones said: “As Police Commissioner, it is my priority to ensure the safety and security of our communities. Too often we see people on privately-owned e-scooters riding dangerously on roads and pavements, breaking the law, being involved in anti-social behaviour, and putting other road users and pedestrians at risk.

“If you buy your child an e-scooter, you are encouraging them to break the law and putting them at risk.”

In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, e-scooter data reveals there have been two fatalities and 20 serious injuries dating back to 2021. The following year there were 33 serious injuries and in 2023 28 serious injuries. January to April this year saw a total of 14 serious injuries. Nationally, there were 1,292 collisions involving e-scooters last year and six fatalities.

In February this year, the Police Commissioner Donna Jones signed a contract to enable Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary to enhance its powers and use existing legislation giving them the option to destroy any e-scooter or e-motorcycle that is being used in crime as part of Operation Crush.

PCC Donna Jones said: “Since being elected as the Police Commissioner in 2021, the public have consistently told me they want the police to do more to crack down on e-scooters.

“I continue to encourage the police to crack down on illegal scooter use, recognising this is a growing problem which clearly continues to cause concern for the public.

“Whilst many people use e-scooters as environmentally friendly travel, there are clear dangers and privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to ride on the road and are often being used to commit crime.

“Operation Crush sends a clear message. By removing illegally-operated e-scooters from circulation, criminal activity will be disrupted, the risk of injuries is reduced, and our streets will be safer. I’m looking forward to visiting the force’s Operation Crush site in the new year.”

Inspector Andy Tester said: “Privately owned, powered, two-wheeled vehicles such as e-bikes, e-scooters and off-road electric motorcycles are not road legal. If these are used in public places, they could be seized, destroyed and you could receive a fine and points on your licence.

“If you are thinking of buying one for a loved one this Christmas, consider the implications for them if they are stopped by the police – please first read our advice online at Advice on e-scooter usage | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.”

From January to November this year, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary seized 111 e-scooters and 16 e-bikes. In the same period last year, the force seized 26 e-scooters and one e-bike.

PCC Donna Jones added: “I understand the point being made that e-scooters can be space savers on our busy roads however there is a lack of guidance on the illegality of operating a privately owned e-scooter.

“If you use a privately owned e-scooter in public, you risk it being seized for having no insurance. If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter, the incident will be investigated in the same it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car.

“This Christmas, I am urging people to think twice before purchasing an e-scooter. We must do everything we can to ensure safety on our roads and in our public spaces.”

In recent weeks, the government announced that they would legalise the use of private e-scooters in the UK in the coming years acknowledging that introducing regulations is “clearly necessary”.