🚓About Off-Road Bikes, E-Scooters & Surron's – Law, Safety & Police Powers🚓 What the Law Says (UK-wide and Staffordshire) 🔴 E-Scooters - Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, pavements, cycle paths and parks. They are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- This means they need insurance, tax and a driving licence to be used on the road – but no UK insurance is currently available for private e-scooters, so they cannot be legally ridden in public.
- The only exception is where an authorised rental trial is running (e.g., in parts of Stafford and Newcastle-under-Lyme). Riders must meet age/licence requirements set by the rental company.
- Private e-scooters may only be used on private land with the owner’s permission.
🟠 Off-road motorbikes, Surron bikes and similar vehicles that are not registered and insured for road use are illegal to ride: - on public roads,
- on pavements,
- in parks or public open spaces,
unless on private land with permission.
🟢 E-Bikes - Electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) can be used on roads and cycle paths if they meet legal criteria (motor ≤250 W and assistance stops at 15.5 mph). These do NOT require tax, insurance or a licence.
- If an e-bike is modified or more powerful than the legal limit, it becomes a motor vehicle and must be treated like one (registered, insured, plated).
Off-Road Bikes & Surrons Even though off-road bikes are designed for trails and fields, using them in public places without permission breaks the law. 🧒 Age & Safety Guidance - Age limits vary by scheme: some allow riders 16+ with a valid driving licence; others require 18+. Always check the provider’s terms.
- Helmets and protective gear are strongly recommended for all riders.
Rental e-scooters (where trials operate) require a valid driving licence Helmets and protective gear are strongly recommended Under-18s riding illegally – parents/guardians may be held responsible Riding dangerously puts pedestrians, children and riders at risk
⚖️ What Police Can Do in Staffordshire Seizure Powers - Staffordshire Police have powers to seize e-scooters, off-road bikes and similar vehicles when used illegally on: - public roads,
- pavements or footpaths,
- parks and public spaces.
- Vehicles seen being ridden without insurance, licence or on public land can be seized immediately and often will not be returned, because they cannot be legally insured or used on roads.
- If a vehicle is being used in an antisocial manner (causing alarm, distress or nuisance), police can use powers under the Police Reform Act (Section 59) to seize it – sometimes without a prior warning.
Fines & Penalties If you ride these vehicles illegally you may face: - A £300 fine and 6 penalty points for no insurance;
- A £100 fine and 3–6 points for no correct licence;
- Fixed penalty notices for other offences (pavement riding, red-light breaches, mobile use, drink/drug driving, etc.).
Targeted Operations Staffordshire Police run ongoing operations like Operation Reclaim and Operation Transom to: ✔ proactively patrol hotspots, ✔ seize nuisance vehicles, ✔ educate riders and guardians about the law, ✔ disrupt antisocial behaviour linked to these vehicles. 📣 Reporting Issues If someone is using these vehicles illegally or dangerously and it’s affecting your community: - Call 101 (non-emergency),
- Use the Staffordshire Police Live Chat on their website,
- In an urgent/emergency situation, call 999.
Your information helps officers target problem behaviours and keep everyone safer. ✔ Think Before You Ride ✔ Ride Legally ✔ Respect Your Community ⚠️ Seized vehicles may not be returned, especially if they cannot be legally used on the road ⚠️ 📞 How to Report a Problem 📱 101 – non-emergency 💬 Live Chat – Staffordshire Police website 🚨 999 – emergencies only Your reports help officers target problem areas and keep communities safe. |
