ON MONDAY, Essex Police – Harlow District officers carried on their stance on e-scooters within Harlow by seizing another four scooters. Please don’t let your scooter be the next one to fall.

See below a reminder of the laws around e-scooters;

Did you know that privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use in a public place?

E-scooters come under the category of ‘powered transporters’. This also covers a range of other personal transport devices which are powered by a motor.

Powered transporters fall within the legal definition of a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Therefore, the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters, which includes that they must not be ridden on footpaths or pavements and must not be ridden carelessly.

As an e-scooter is classed as a motor vehicle, users must comply with various pieces of Road Traffic Legislation, including but not limited to the requirement for the rider to have:

• A valid driving licence

• Valid insurance

It is not currently possible to get appropriate insurance for privately owned e-scooters. This means they cannot be used on the road or in public places legally.

It’s important to emphasise that if you’re not hiring an e-scooter from SPIN as part of the Essex County Council pilot scheme, you’ll be breaking the law. We are urging retailers to make the law clear to anyone thinking of buying an e-scooter.

Safety is very important too, and we will take action against anyone breaking the law. This will mean seizing the e-scooter and may also mean prosecution for using a motor vehicle without insurance or the appropriate licence.

You can find out more information about the legalities of e-scooter use on the government’s website.