| E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by grahame at 05:10, 1st July 2026 |     |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3g20yxvm4o
E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban
Retailers including Amazon, Argos and Currys have been found to advertise e‑scooters for use on public roads and paths, despite this being against UK law.
An investigation from the Press Association (PA) found major brands and independent sellers were promoting their use on the roads.
But only rented e-scooters can legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK. Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.
The major outlets changed their advertising after being contacted by PA. They also pointed to guidance on their websites which said customers had to follow local laws.
Retailers including Amazon, Argos and Currys have been found to advertise e‑scooters for use on public roads and paths, despite this being against UK law.
An investigation from the Press Association (PA) found major brands and independent sellers were promoting their use on the roads.
But only rented e-scooters can legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK. Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.
The major outlets changed their advertising after being contacted by PA. They also pointed to guidance on their websites which said customers had to follow local laws.
Personal view - the UK ban is beyond crazy ... travelling so much in other countries, private e-scooters are the norm and the are a common way of getting around ... for everyone.
| Re: E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by JohnM at 08:00, 1st July 2026 | |
In other countries, what happens if an e-scooter hits your car? No one is injured, but does the driver have to claim on their insurance - how does it work?
In fact what happens in this country if you're hit by a legal rented e-scooter - you claim on the rental company?
| Re: E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:04, 1st July 2026 | |
The quoted BBC article is incorrect in that it fails to state the use of e-scooters in the UK is completely banned except for the specified trial areas:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users#trial-areas
| Re: E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by ChrisB at 11:04, 1st July 2026 | |
No - it states
But only rented e-scooters can legally be ridden on roads, cycle paths and in parks in the UK. Privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.
which is correct. They are only completely banned in public places, but can be used privately with permission anywhere that is private land.
| Re: E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by TaplowGreen at 11:38, 1st July 2026 | |
I think this, and other similar incidents helps to put it into perspective
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmdlypw97jo
| Re: E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by Mark A at 12:35, 1st July 2026 | |
Germany's a useful comparison: e-scooters are legal, minimum age 14, compulsory insurance, type-approved machines to exclude ones with unsuitable electronics/mechanics, similar maximum speed to a pedal assist e-bike, two independent brakes, pavements prohibited. Why the UK's gone with open ended 'Trials' of hire e-scooters (with the occasional change of supplier, something that tends to remove more experienced riders from the system) and also overlooked private use served by a vigorous and diverse retail supply chain pushing a variety of less desirable machines I don't know.
Mark
P.S. Same goes for bike lights - you can buy a better sort of bike light just by checking before you purchase whether it would be legal to use it in Germany.
| Re: E-scooters being advertised for commuting despite UK road ban - BBC - 1.7.2026 Posted by PrestburyRoad at 13:05, 1st July 2026 | |
I like the German rules, especially the compulsory insurance.
