Why are there suddenly kids with e-scooters everywhere despite them being illegal?
Posted by KenAdams_1968@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 70 comments
I’ve noticed a boom in my area this spring of young children riding around on e-scooters, often unaccompanied and often dangerously.
But isn’t it illegal even for adults to ride privately owned e-scooters in public? I don’t understand how there’s a market for kids escooters.
PM-ME_UR_TINY-TITS@reddit
It's ridiculous the legislation that was promised to be speed through still hasn't appeared. Enforcement happens in fits and starts, usually when a load of people do crime on them. For the most part the police seem to give em a blind eye unless they are looking for a reason to stop you.
KenAdams_1968@reddit (OP)
Probably one of those things where a big incident will need to happen first before any real legislation gets introduced which is a real shame.
Frosty_Leg4438@reddit
Off-subject… I think we will look back and realise we really went wrong with e-scooters.
Letting them loose unregulated was clearly crazy and understandably created extreme friction between walkers and cyclists.
However the opportunity of working people having cheap renewably charged zero pollution transport… could have been absolutely transformative (which was partially why the car industry lobbied so effectively against them) :-(
I feel there was a potential wonderful future where we had dedicated e-scooter lanes with everyone, no matter of wealth, able to travel locally, not just those with the money and social/career/housing stability to own a car.
Anxious-Salamander49@reddit
Yeah, the UK really needs more regulation on normal people.
split-tennisball@reddit
The other option is them being banned. I would much prefer regulated and legal.
money2502@reddit
Why can’t these people use bicycles?
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
That would involve effort. They don't like effort - physical or mental.
split-tennisball@reddit
Weird how people get snobby over others methods of transports.
the_ninjahippy@reddit
Mum and dad didn't buy them a bike. I get it, peer pressure, my mates have one etc. Mum and dad need to stop buying crap that will be used illegally. Ignorance is not an excuse either Chardonnnnayyyy and Antoknee.
Delicious-Stop5554@reddit
They’re illegal because they want to tax them, but can’t figure out how to. Let people use them - they’re fun and relatively environmentally friendly. Encourage responsible use. Allow people to live a little.
It doesn’t matter if there is enforcement or they’re illegal - how many kids do you see on motorbikes or e-bikes with no helmets but balaclavas.
Some will break the rules regardless, penalising half of society for having an e-scooter (ok, the threat of without enforcement mainly) is a sign of how out of touch the powers that be are.
And don’t blame the police - they don’t make the rules! Blame the politicians who don’t listen.
the_ninjahippy@reddit
I wasn't blaming the police. I dont believe they should be taxed either. BUT, I do believe they should be subject to some form of training on road use and have mandatory insurance. I say this as a cyclist. I dont want VED on my bikes. I already pay for two other vehicles that aren't being driven when I'm riding. The powers are out of touch because they cant legislate fast enough or work out how to enforce the legislation.
Delicious-Stop5554@reddit
Sorry - wasn’t implying you were - that’s the general opinion round here (I’m an old man living in a street of even older people). I agree - train and let them have at it. But the training isn’t necessarily just skills (I didn’t ever do my cycling proficiency at school, but have ridden bicycles on and off roof for many years) - it’s the common courtesy and respect for others. For example, I take my 8 year old stepson out on his BMX all the time, and for safety I encourage him to ride on the footpaths/pavements. Yes, against the law, but I also teach him to give way to pedestrians and be courteous to other path/road users.
And as I say to many of my (motorcycle) biker friends when they’re having a rant about a car not giving way or blocking their filtering etc - being in the right is all good and well, but better to avoid the hospital bed (or worse) to prove a point.
the_ninjahippy@reddit
Good grief! Are you my twin? Only I'm mid 50's and grumpy! My son is a teenager. I teach him the same basics. And yes common courtesy and sense seem to be in very short supply at the moment. No amount of £20 notes in your back pocket make broken bones feel any better.
iwanttodiebutdrugs@reddit
Requires fitness
the_ninjahippy@reddit
Instead they ride electric scooters and get fatness.
No_Significance485@reddit
I'm disabled, can't ride a bike but absolutely could manage a scooter.
the_ninjahippy@reddit
There are all sorts of bikes for disabled folks. They tend to be insanely expensive though. If you could manage a scooter then go for it! Im not anti scooter by any means but the way a significant proportion are used is diabolical.
giganticturnip@reddit
Maybe they've got nice clothes on and don't want to sweat, maybe they have piles, maybe they can't, maybe they just don't want to.
split-tennisball@reddit
Yep, I use a private e-scooter daily to get to work. I did cycle for a bit but got tired on getting to work all sweaty, and not having to motivation to cycle after a long physical days work.
RealLongwayround@reddit
They can. However, the tremendous advantage of a good e-scooter is that it can be folded, carried on the bus or train and even put in a locker at work or under a desk.
I love my electric bicycle, but have the advantage of safe secure parking at Police HQ, showers and an employer who is happy to support cycling.
FluidGolf9091@reddit
Why use a bicycle when you could use a pogo stick?
Profession-Unable@reddit
Scooters are cheaper, scooters are lighter, scooters are easier to store, scooters are easier to learn how to use. Just off the top of my head.
davehemm@reddit
Far easier to create an intense chemical fire, especially retrofitted and cheap import crap with low/zero QA/QC. It shows the need for proper regulation.
Profession-Unable@reddit
I don’t think that’s something that the average consumer takes into account when considering scooters v bikes, however.
katspike@reddit
In cities foldable e-scooters make a lot of sense. Less space on commuter trains, easier to put in the boot of a car, take up less space in a flat, etc…
but yeah… a lot of people don’t use them that way, and bikes are less dangerous
sjw_7@reddit
I have one and its brilliant. Takes me less than 20 mins to do nearly 4 miles to get across town. I use the back roads and avoid busy areas. I know its illegal and I do not want it to have an impact on anyone else so try to stay away from people.
It they implemented some standards such as speed limits, batteries etc so we didnt end up with stupidly fast imported fire hazards it would be good.
vzzzbxt@reddit
China has ebike and bicycle rental literally everywhere. It's not abused and it works really well
The real problem is the British public
Legal_Alternative258@reddit
I agree. Previous government's made a hash of it (quelle suprise)
chin_waghing@reddit
Police officer here.
Lack of enforcement because we’re strapped for resources. It’s mainly left to the neighbourhood team and they do run operations, just not frequently enough
Any time I’ve stopped an e-scooter members of the public get quite angry and usually shout “Go solve real crimes”.
I personally think they should be taxed, insured and licensed similarly to a 50cc scooter, but what do I know
KenAdams_1968@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the input and it's a shame people respond like that. I think that'd be a fair solution
FluidGolf9091@reddit
What about mobility scooters?
If they’re going to be taxed and treated like 50cc mopeds, wouldn’t that logically invite pressure to deregulate the speed cap from 15.5mph to 30mph too?
Because once you classify them alongside road vehicles, people will ask why they’re being artificially limited below the flow of traffic while still expected to mix in with it
Feels like we’re halfway between “toy” and “vehicle" at the moment. Either they’re dangerous enough to require full moped regulation or they’re low risk mobility devices that should remain lightly regulated.
clip75@reddit
Mobility scooters are classified properly as invalid carriages and have their own regulation.
The problem with e-scooters and e-bikes is that they really proliferated around covid time when there was just no appetite to deal with them, and it was allowed to become the perfect crime vehicle, added to the appetite to prosecute police officers at every opportunity, meaning that pursuits will almost never happen. Effectively, the more recklessly a person behaves, the less likely they are to be caught.
Willeth@reddit
They should be. The fact that there is no current structure for this is why they're illegal. As an officer, you should know this.
Billy_Rizzle@reddit
Do you stop people riding private e-scooters in general or just the ones riding them in a dangerous manner?
I get the impression the police in my area are only bothered by people who ride like an idiot.
Shot-Specialist-9841@reddit
The shit people in this country concern themselves with just mind your business
KenAdams_1968@reddit (OP)
Yeah being concerned with children being knocked off high speed motorised vehicles is just ridiculous isn't it. If young kids want to zip around public roads with no helmet and no supervision - I should just mind my own business!
onyx_gaze@reddit
Lack of enforcement.
But also, it seems a bit ridiculous to me that the government have been trialing e-scooter schemes in multiple cities now for years, and still no steps have been taken. They should take a stance and either make them completely illegal altogether, or take the steps to make them legal, as they are in many European countries.
KenAdams_1968@reddit (OP)
That would make more sense. Seems like the policy has been kicked down the road for years now.
BiscuitBarrel179@reddit
Companies like Lime have liability insurance incase a 3rd part gets injured by somebody using their scooter/bike. Shanice and Dwayne aren't sending little Tyrone out on a cheap Chinese e-scooter with an insurance policy.
the_ninjahippy@reddit
I think you just described the issue perfectly.
petemorley@reddit
This bit too, Lime etc will be standardised to meet any regulations for things like tyres and batteries.
dom_eden@reddit
It’s ridiculous. It’s been nearly 10 years since they started to be used and how many successive governments have we had since then who have failed to pass simple legislation?
Can only be used on the road, treat them like e-bikes, helmet, insurance and high vis recommended. Done.
72dk72@reddit
They should be illegal if uninsured and should be classed the same as mopeds. Enforcement is key, instant removal and destruction. No compensation and x hours of community service which police should be allowed to issue without the need for court.
onyx_gaze@reddit
Yeah, that would be fine. They are legal in France and Germany but they require insurance and license plate.
Our problem is that, since nothing has been done about it, there is no way to get insurance on one.
Although almost all other western European countries have made them legal without insurance.
FluidGolf9091@reddit
Calm down mate there's a lot worse happening in the world than someone getting to work on an escooter
Legal_Alternative258@reddit
Thick parents?
Never would I willing put my child on one. I'll take them off dirt biking in the proper place when the time comes as I did as a kid but letting your kids dodge the drivers we see these days and weave around pedestrians is just asking for trouble.
Not to mention disrespectful to other road users.
KenAdams_1968@reddit (OP)
A dedicated area would make more sense, but yeah on roads I've just seen dangerous use that has me a bit concerned.
Mr_Bumcrest@reddit
What do you mean suddenly. Kids have been bombing around on e-scooters for ages.
KenAdams_1968@reddit (OP)
It's been sudden round here, but I get what you mean - I've seen them around for years now.
Lau_kaa@reddit
Stupid parents, basically. If you buy your kid an e-scooter to use on a public road, the potential consequences are fairly obvious to anyone whose brain isn't custard.
poliver1988@reddit
Tiktok hip-hop outrage content, skinny guys with black hoodies. It's a new subculture.
cheflifecdf@reddit
What in the buzzword?
kelleehh@reddit
Tbf I’ve seen a lot of e-scooters lately. This exact stereotype seems to ride them. Bar a few.
HTD_Blog@reddit
Rental e-scooters are legal in many areas. Assuming they are part of an actual rental scheme-
Legal_Alternative258@reddit
The old legal for a fee trick.
davehemm@reddit
Where only devices that live up to a certain standard are used, the devices are serviced and have decent brakes and lights. Cheap import crap, cheap retrofit crap, people making dangerous modifications, leading to deadly fires show the need for regulations. Should be regulated as motorbikes.
mbe220@reddit
The rental ones are type-approved , the others aren’t. It’s not legal to use a non tour approved vehicle on the road whether it’s an e-scooter, or a formula Renault racing car.
Legal_Alternative258@reddit
Yeah, I know.
The point I'm making is that other than some being modified to be faster than a prescribed limit, there's no material difference to what they are.
It's still the same bellends renting a lime scooter or whoever your city operator is and weaving in and out of pedestrians on busy footpaths.
mbe220@reddit
…which comes back to the fact that the police don’t have the resources to enforce the law so those who have no respect for the law or social conscience can do as they like whether it’s riding scooters illegally/dangerously or shop theft.
LazyEmu5073@reddit
I use them sometimes where I live. I see other ones riding on pavements, or two people on one scooter, or riding the wrong way up the one way system, or, no-fucking-way the rider is over 18 years old, etc.
Even the legal ones are ridden illegally!!
Rasty_lv@reddit
This actually pisses me off, but not for the reason you think. Those scooters could be amazing and cheap travel alternatives, if those dense *insert some not so pleasant swearwords aimed at government here* actually sorted out legislation. Make it mandatory with helmet and hi-viz, 16+ (with licence), same rules as cyclists.
I legit would buy one to getting to work and back home and leave my car at home (where i live, i have 7min drive or 45min walking to work, no physical place for cycle at home and walking would be inefficient as i need to take missus to work after i come back home). I would love to have cheap mode of transportation that doesnt take much space at my home. alas, dont want to risk it with police who can seize it..
But to answer your question.. Parents. They buy them for kids. You can use e scoters on private roads, not outside private property. Sellers/buyers always can lie, yes it will be used only in private property.
reddiuniquefool@reddit
Laws are useless unless they are enforced.
snakeoildriller@reddit
And even more useless if the guilty are left unpunished.
mbe220@reddit
Because the police don’t have the resources to enforce the law so the law is just there to keep the law abiding honest whilst the rest do as they like.
jejdhdijen@reddit
Police don’t care. There’s people saying hurty words on Twitter to deal with. They’re the real criminals.
brizzle9293@reddit
This guy thinks he’s on his local facebook page
Unhappy-Equipment-64@reddit
facebook comment on reddit post
Drunk_Cartographer@reddit
Wank comment
No_Surprise_3799@reddit
Who's gonna stop them?
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