E-scooters are increasingly popular but just how dangerous are they?
There have been reports of people being injured whilst riding e-scooters and of pedestrians being hurt when e-scooter riders have failed to stop in time. If you’ve been hurt in an e-scooter accident, get in touch with our professional personal injury solicitors about whether you can make a claim for compensation for your injuries.
What Are E-Scooters?
E-scooters are electric scooters that provide an alternative way to travel to walking or cycling.
Quite new to our streets, e-scooters are becoming a familiar sight in some UK cities thanks to Government-led trials that have made them available to hire in certain areas.
What Is The Law For Riding E-Scooters?
You must have a valid provisional or full driving licence and be over the age of 16 to ride an e-scooter.
In England, the law states it is illegal to ride a privately-owned e-scooter on public roads and these e-scooters must only be ridden on private land with permission from the landowner.
An individual who is caught illegally riding a privately-owned e-scooter on a public road can be fined up to £300 and have 6 points added to their driving licence.
The Government is currently trialling e-scooter hire in more than 40 towns and cities – and it is legal to ride e-scooters in these areas. However, it is still illegal to ride e-scooters on pavements and they can only be ridden in cycle lanes and on the sides of roads.
The E-Scooter Hire Trials
The cities that have e-scooters available for hire under the Government trial scheme include London, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.
During the trial period, it is compulsory for all e-scooters to have motor insurance – this is currently provided by the rental operator.
Each e-scooter provider has slightly different rules for e-scooter use so it’s always worth checking before deciding whether to hire an e-scooter or not.
E-Scooter Safety
Similar rules that apply to cycling, apply to e-scooters. Helmets are recommended but not mandatory.
The speed limit for most e-scooters available to hire is 15.5mph. In London, the speed limit is 12.5mph and you need to complete an online safety course before starting your journey when you hire one for the first time.
How Safe Are E-Scooters?
The combination of electric power, lack of training on how to ride one safely, and the speed they can travel at means they pose a certain danger to the rider and to pedestrians who may be in the path of one if the rider can’t stop in time.
Regardless of whether the e-scooter trials make it compulsory to have insurance whilst on the public road on an e-scooter, it’s always a good idea to have insurance – just in case you’re involved in an accident that causes injury to another person.
How We Can Help You With Your E-Scooter Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an e-scooter, contact us for advice on whether you can make a claim for compensation and what your rights are.
We can also provide guidance and information on e-scooter safety and the law surrounding them, on a more general basis.
For more information on e-scooters and the law or to speak to one of our specialist solicitors about making an e-scooter accident claim for compensation, call Freephone 0800 988 3674 or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
