electric scooters

[shirepro]

Anybody know the current legaislative position on the 200 watt electric scooters? My paperboy (14 years old) uses one and was stoppped by a PCSO this morning and told not to use it.

I am unsure if they can be used on roads and pavements at all. Anybody know? I think I might find I will be eatting eggy soldiers without my daily sport, as the lad is terrified!

[cotty]

electric scooters are like fat birds, fun to ride but you wouldnt want your mates to see you on one

[TheLemming]

IIRC as powered machines they fall under the same categories as bikes and cars, in that they need to be "road legal".

They will need helmets to be worn, MOT, Tax and insurance.

As they cant be taxed or insured, they cant be made road legal and as such are inherently illegal to use on anything other than private property.

[lunarscope]

He could get an elctrically-assisted bicycle as they are legal on the road (there's a maximum power allowed).

[cotty]

lunarscope said:

He could get an elctrically-assisted bicycle

or he could get a normal bicycle and get some exercise

[lunarscope]

cotty said:

lunarscope said: He could get an elctrically-assisted bicycle or he could get a normal bicycle and get some exercise

...or an electrically-assisted fat bird.

[Pigeon]

TheLemming said:

IIRC as powered machines they fall under the same categories as bikes and cars, in that they need to be "road legal". They will need helmets to be worn, MOT, Tax and insurance. As they cant be taxed or insured, they cant be made road legal and as such are inherently illegal to use on anything other than private property.

No, that's the whole point. If they have a power output 200W or less, weigh 40kg or less, and can't exceed 15mph under their own power, they count as a bicycle, and can be used anywhere a bicycle can, without any of the legal bollox that motor vehicles are subject to.

[shirepro]

It is all very confusing as I Googled this and found a site saying that if it had pedals that alos made a difference and that whether it was 200w or 250w was beinf debated, although that the jury were still out (well the UK (200-w) and EU (250w) courts).