Electric Scooter - help needed

kaja86

Hi
My son has asked for an electric scooter for his birthday in a couple of weeks. I have no idea about these things. Has anyone any recommendations? Or has anyone had one that I should steer clear of. I am hoping to spend no more than £60/70
Please help.........

nursemolly

electric scooters are illegal under the age of 16. due to the huge rate of accidents (mainly by kids who think the pavement belongs to them) you need a provisional license and insurance.
the police are doing a big crackdown and in kent have been confiscating scooters from kids who don`t have the documentation.

i know this as my brother works for thames valley police.
but please check it out before you buy, as it may be different in your area.
cheers

TrishaM

Same here in N.I. you need insurance and it must be used on the road not on the pavement

jockettuk

and if you can get one for the price you looking at its probably no good.. they going for over £100 the last i saw

Premier_2

I didn't know that electric scooters were illegal

You can't use petrol one on the road / pavement since you'll need licence, tax and insurance (none of which are available since most of the scooters are not type-approved for road use) and the same goes for small petrol powered motor bikes (Mini-motos).

But I don't think these restrictions apply to battery powered scooters.
(How do they distinguish between a battery powered scooter and a battery powered invalid carrage / wheelchair?)

Edit: Looks like the courts have ruled them illegal for use on the highway

Although there are exemptions to road traffic legislation for some motorised vehicles that meet specific requirements, for example, motorised pedal cycles and mobility scooters, neither the petrol driven scooters, nor the battery powered ones that have recently become popular meet these requirements

The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 exclude relevant vehicles from road traffic legislation, but to satisfy this exemption the vehicle must have pedals by which it is primarily propelled, have an electric motor with no more than 200w output, and only benefit from electrical assistance up to 15mph. They can only be ridden by someone who has reached the age of 14.

The Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 similarly exclude mobility scooters from road traffic legislation, but impose an absolute maximum speed of 8mph which must be switchable to 4mph when used on the pavement. Use of mobility scooters is restricted to people suffering from some physical defect or physical disability.

In September 2000 a woman in London was convicted of riding an electrically propelled scooter on the road without insurance. The case was subject to appeal to Crown Court and the High Court. On 10th July 2002 in the case Letitia Winter v DPP the High Court held that the scooter, despite having tiny pedals fitted to the front wheel, could not benefit from the exemption for electrically assisted cycles and upheld the conviction.

http://www.essex.police.uk/about/a_dp_41.php

It appears the Essex Police are a little more co-operative than the Kent Police

Kent Police are unable to give advice on the legality or otherwise of motorised scooters purchased for use by children.Aÿ It is possible that the use of these machines on a road or public place may constitute an offence.Aÿ You are advised to read the information contained on the packaging for these machines or consult the supplier or a legal advisor.

:rolleyes:

bootman

I bought my son an electric scooter in the summer on ebay for 25.00 new. He loves it even though he has to stay iin the back garden!

kaja86

Oh my goodness!!
I didn't know this.
Glad i posted this. He'll have to think again!!