Should private e-scooters be legalised?

With coral-coloured Vois now a familiar sight across Bristol, the mayor argues it is time to legalise all e-scooters so they can be properly regulated.

The trial of the electric vehicles that can be hired in the city has been extended into 2022 but there are still tight restrictions on their wider use.

All privately-owned e-scooters are banned from public highways and cycleways, but Marvin Rees says prohibition isn’t working and backed calls to legalise their use so that they can be properly regulated.

The roll-out of the e-scooter hire scheme has proved controversial, with opposition councillors recently calling for the pilot to end amid safety concerns.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Rees backed calls to legalise private e-scooters so they can be regulated with measures such as number plates and compulsory insurance.

“I don’t think prohibition on scooters is working so let’s bring them in,” said the mayor.

“They are everywhere anyway and the police are struggling to enforce so let’s properly regulate what is a reality of life now.”

Rees said he is concerned about the potential risks involved but said he is writing to the Police and Crime Commissioner about regulation and speaking to Voi to ensure the firm is on top of safety for the hire scooters.

But Conservative councillors have argued there would be “chaos” on Bristol’s roads if the rental scheme is made permanent and private electric scooters are permitted on roads as well.

Crime records published by Avon & Somerset police showed that of 237 incidents involving e-scooters in Bristol, only nine were related to the Voi trial.

The rest involved privately-owned e-scooters, which are still illegal to ride except on private land.

Voi bosses said they would, in principle, support the legalisation of private e-scooters – photo Martin Booth

Voi bosses have said they would, in principle, support the legalising of private e-scooters.

“The rise of micromobility across the UK and Europe in recent years has seen a step-change in the way we travel, especially in Bristol, with rental e-scooters providing zero-emission, lightweight alternatives to polluting motor vehicles,” said Sam Pooke, senior public policy manager at Voi.

“Voi supports in principle the notion of private scooter use as it promotes a sustainable mode of transport, but regulations which permit their usage must ensure a level playing-field between rental and private vehicles.

“Much like Voi e-scooters, private vehicles must be regulated in a safe and appropriate manner, with strict provisions in place requiring riders to have insurance, maximum vehicle speed limits, where riders are allowed to operate and other specifications such as number plates, for the benefit and safety of pedestrians and all other road users.”

Police said they wouldn’t comment on whether or not the law should be changed, but reminded people it remains against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK. The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.

A force spokesperson added: “If you are caught using a private e-scooter on a public road, pavement, or other prohibited space, police have the power to seize the scooter and you could even be prosecuted.

“Even if you are planning to use it legally – i.e. on private land – we’d encourage people to take appropriate safety precautions such as wearing a helmet.”

Main photo by Martin Booth

Read more: Call for Voi e-scooters to be banned due to safety fears

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