E- Scooters/ E- Bikes

Resident

👮‍♂️ Electric Scooters 👮‍♂️

We understand that buying an e-scooter can be tempting, especially as you can get them from many popular retailers.

However the current law is clear, You can buy one, but you CAN'T ride it on a UK public road, cycle path or pavement. The ONLY place an e-scooter can be used is on private land.

Why is this?

E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), so they are treated as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements, such as: MOT, Licensing, Tax and Insurance.

What happens if I am stopped by Police?

Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, allows the Police to seize any motor vehicle being used on a road which does not have the required documentation, which includes a driving licence for that class of vehicle. Once seized by the Police it can be disposed of in accordance with force policy. The rider of the E-Scooter will also be liable for prosecution which can result in a fine, points on a driving licence or both. Section 59 of the police reform act allows police to issue a warning if a vehicle is being used in a manner which may cause alarm, distress or annoyance. Being issued with this warning does not stop the e-scooter being seized. Police can seize any private scooter with the likelihood the E-scooter will be disposed of accordingly if they are being used on a public road or footpath and the rider may also be liable for prosecution for traffic offences.

👮‍♂️ Electric bikes and rules for riding them 👮‍♂️

You can ride an electric bike, or an 'electrically assisted pedal cycle' (EAPC), without a license or insurance if you're 14 or over.

An electric bike:

Must have pedals that you can use to propel it can have more than two wheels, for example a tricycle must have an electric motor that can run continuously at a maximum power of no more than 250 watts. It must have no electrical assistance once you reach 15.5 miles per hour (mph)
If your electric bike fails to meet any of these requirements it needs to be taxed and insured as either a motorcycle or a moped.

You can contact us on any of the following:

💻 Online via Derbyshire Constabulary 
📱 101
👤 Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or 
🦻🏽 If you're hard of hearing or have a speech impairment use the textphone service 18001 101 or text 07800 002414 or email deafsms@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk 
❗ Always 999 in an emergency!

Thank you for your continued support.