E-Scooter for short commute

[JimM169]

I'm about to change jobs and will be going from a 25 mile commute to 1.5 miles (both each way). I plan to walk it it as much as I can but there will be days where I'm running late, can't be arsed etc so rather than jumping in the car I'm considering an e-scooter. Don't know anything about them and appreciate opinions on them are somewhat marmite, but any pointers you can give would be appreciated. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for, is there a minimum I should be spending or will they be much of a muchness for suitable ones for this distance.

[Terzo123]

The majority of e-scooters are illegal to use on UK roads/public places. There are some exemptions, so it depends on where you are.

It might be easier to buy an e-bike.

I've recently purchased one through a Cycle to Work scheme. There's a decent saving to be had, especially if you are in a higher tax bracket.

[boyse7en]

Basically, they are illegal for private use, so if you purchase one and use it on road or pavement you could be stopped, fined and the scooter impounded and ultimately destroyed.

Other than that, the ones with larger wheels are better if the route is not billiard table smooth. For a 3 mile journey, battery life won't be an issue and they should be limited to the same top speed anyway, so performance is much the same whichever one you buy.

[Mammasaid]

https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-inform...

article said:

It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters, which means it's illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. If you're using a private e-scooter you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for no insurance.

Penalties and offences
If you don't have a licence, or the correct licence, or are riding without insurance you could face a Fixed Penalty notice:

1. with a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance
2. up to £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence

You could also be committing an offence if you're caught:

1. riding on a pavement; Fixed Penalty Notice and possible £50 fine
2. using a mobile phone or other handheld mobile device while riding; £200 and six penalty points
3. riding through red lights; Fixed Penalty Notice, £100 fine and possible penalty points
4. drink driving: the same as if you were driving a car, you could face court imposed fines, a driving ban and possible imprisonment

[shaun442k]

I've done 1200 miles on mine so far. Rode past police cars etc and never had any issues. But I'm sensible- wear a helmet, have lights on etc and treat it like a bicycle.
In terms of which one to get, as others have said for that distance just get any really. Halfords do a selection so maybe try some of them out.

[JimM169]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm aware of the legality issues but of the 1.5miles most of it is through a quite village down a dead end road and as above I'll take the sensible precautions so not too worried about being stopped

Seen this Pure Electric one which should fit the bill, 500W motor to cope with my 105Kg, 10" wheels for the rougher terrain and up to 30km so won't need charging after ever ride?

https://www.pureelectric.com/collections/all-elect...

[PurpleTurtle]

JimM169 said:

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm aware of the legality issues but of the 1.5miles most of it is through a quite village down a dead end road and as above I'll take the sensible precautions so not too worried about being stopped

Seen this Pure Electric one which should fit the bill, 500W motor to cope with my 105Kg, 10" wheels for the rougher terrain and up to 30km so won't need charging after ever ride?

https://www.pureelectric.com/collections/all-elect...

My kids is in Yr 3 at school, the dad of one of his classmates takes him + son to school, uphill most of the way, every day on one of these. It seems to hold up well and in all of those 3yrs he's never been stopped or nicked.

Yesterday morning I watched him ride past two panda cars who were stopped at the side of the road having a chat, neither copper even glanced at him. It seems that the law is widely flouted.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

PurpleTurtle said:

It seems that the law is widely flouted.

It is widely flouted but the OP needs to remember that if it does get seized and he receives a fine then he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

It's a bit like putting non conforming number plates on your car and then moaning when you get a ticket for it.

[Cow Corner]

Assuming you don't work at the top of a mountain, for 1.5 miles surely a simple bike is the answer - no need to faff about charging it, no question of legality and you can add a rack for your bag/storage.

Also no risk of it going up in flames. I can see many buildings starting to ban the storage of e-bikes/scooters due to fire risk - a scheme I'm involved with have done this after LFB asked for disproportionate fire suppression measures to be taken to accommodate e-bike/scooter storage.

[Big Stevie]

I understand their convenience, but I don't understand how casual people on here are about riding a vehicle (e-scooter) in public without insurance. Would you also drive a car or ride a motorbike without insurance?

It seems most balance the risk around getting caught, but don't consider what would happen if they caused an accident, or knocked someone over and injured them when they don't have insurance. Points on their licence, disqualification, etc.

But yeh, crack on, why not!

[Terzo123]

Its all sts n giggles until you get landed with 6 points on your car licence.

[sociopath]

That's a 5-6 minute bike ride, worst case 10.
Buy a cheap bike.