E-scooters: UK rules and Bromley residents' opinions

It comes after a 16-year-old boy from Bromley was hit by a red Fiat punto at around 1.20am on Southborough Lane on July 18.

LAS attended and took the 16-year-old to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, August 17, News Shopper took a trip to Bromley High Street.

• READ MORE: Bromley's unspoken rules - as told by its residents

We asked shoppers how often they see e-scooters in Bromley, and whether they think they should be allowed.

Shabarish Meesala, 25, expressed his concerns over how dangerous they can be.

He said: “I hardly see any, maybe two or three a week, but they seriously need to control their speed.

“They’re so rash and they need regulating for speed, and have specific restrictions on them.

“They’re not supposed to be used on the pavement so they shouldn’t be as it really can be dangerous if one comes near you that’s travelling at speed.”

Melissa, 19, echoed Shabarish’s thoughts.

She said: “I come out of work in the centre of Bromley and there’s loads of annoying teenagers who look like they’re about to knock me over.

“It’s dangerous and it’s bl***y annoying.”

• READ MORE: 10 things you should never say to people from Bromley

Lucy Fearne’s husband owns and uses an e-scooter – but she thinks the rules should be the same as on bikes as “people can be idiots on both”.

The 47-year-old said: “My husband wears a protected helmet and stops at traffic lights but some people abuse the use of them and ruin them for everyone else.

“My husband got his because he was shielding so it was to protect himself rather than being on public transport.

“Cyclists don’t have rules and they abuse it by cutting through red lights and riding too fasts but e-scooters have speed limits and lights.

“I do worry though because the helmet makes a big difference so as long as he wears that I think they’re fine.”

Lucy Fearne, 47 and her daughter

Essen Khan, 24, has mixed opinions on the scooters.

He added: “I’ve seen a few and I do think they’re a good idea because they get you from A to B but it does depend on the circumstance.

“It’s like a bike – it depends how you ride it because they’re all dangerous at the end of the day.

“Though, e-scooters are 100 per cent better than bikes because a lot of people are lazy and so just buy a car because they can’t be bothered to cycle.

“At least with e-scooters if you’re lazy you still won’t need to buy a car.”

What are the UK rules on e-scooters?

Electric scooters are growing more-and-more popular – but it’s illegal to ride them in a public place.

Under UK law, it’s permitted to ride an electric scooter on private land as long as you have the landowner’s permission.

But it’s an offence to ride them in public – including on paths, pavements and roads.

If you're caught riding an e-scooter without insurance you could receive an on-the-spot fine of £300 and six penalty points.

Riding without a licence could see you fined up to £1,000 and given points, the Metropolitan Police has said.

There are a number cities currently taking part in a hire scheme trial.

Those with a driving licence and the relevant insurance are able to rent e-scooters in parts of London.

What do the police say?

Police had a warning for those tempted to take an electric scooter out onto the county’s roads.

While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it’s currently against the law to ride a privately-owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK,” the force said.

This includes roads, pavements, parks, town centres or promenades. The only place a privately-owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.

“This is because e-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) so they are treated as motor vehicles. As such, if they are used on a road, pavement or public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle.

“We would also ask anyone using an e-scooter legally – i.e. on private land – to carefully consider their safety before doing so.

“All riders should wear a helmet and younger riders particularly would benefit from additional protective clothing such as knee and elbow pads to minimise injury should you come off.”

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