E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026

[whole diary]

[grahame]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3g20yxvm4o

E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK^▸ (United Kingdom) road ban

Retailers including Amazon, Argos and Currys have been found to advertise e‑scooters for use on public roads and paths, despite this being against UK law.

An investigation from the Press Association (PA^▸ (Public Address (broadcast loudspeaker announcements) or Passenger Assist (railway staff providing physical assistance to passengers with mobility issues), depending on context)) found major brands and independent sellers were promoting their use on the roads.

But only rented e-scooters can legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK. Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

The major outlets changed their advertising after being contacted by PA. They also pointed to guidance on their websites which said customers had to follow local laws.

Personal view - the UK ban is beyond crazy ... travelling so much in other countries, private e-scooters are the norm and the are a common way of getting around ... for everyone.

[JohnM]

In other countries, what happens if an e-scooter hits your car? No one is injured, but does the driver have to claim on their insurance - how does it work?

In fact what happens in this country if you're hit by a legal rented e-scooter - you claim on the rental company?

[Bob_Blakey]

The quoted BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article is incorrect in that it fails to state the use of e-scooters in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) is completely banned except for the specified trial areas:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users#trial-areas

[ChrisB]

No - it states

But only rented e-scooters can legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

which is correct. They are only completely banned in public places, but can be used privately with permission anywhere that is private land.

[TaplowGreen]

I think this, and other similar incidents helps to put it into perspective

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmdlypw97jo

[Mark A]

Germany's a useful comparison: e-scooters are legal, minimum age 14, compulsory insurance, type-approved machines to exclude ones with unsuitable electronics/mechanics, similar maximum speed to a pedal assist e-bike, two independent brakes, pavements prohibited. Why the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)'s gone with open ended 'Trials' of hire e-scooters (with the occasional change of supplier, something that tends to remove more experienced riders from the system) and also overlooked private use served by a vigorous and diverse retail supply chain pushing a variety of less desirable machines I don't know.

Mark

P.S. Same goes for bike lights - you can buy a better sort of bike light just by checking before you purchase whether it would be legal to use it in Germany.

[PrestburyRoad]

I like the German rules, especially the compulsory insurance.