Travelling with e-scooters on trains?

[goldar]

Living in London means using public transport can sometimes be the quickest and easiest way to travel. E-scooters make the commute to and and from the train station considerably quicker. I'm considering the purchase of one, but tfl's rules are confusing.

Here it mentions that they're not allowed at all:
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2...

And here it mentions they are allowed but only if folded:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/ne...

Another source says that it's only tfl that has banned them, but train operators haven't.
https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/transport/e-scoot...

I've recently seen people with scooters on the train without being folded, so I'm confused as to what the actual rules are and what you can get away with. Can anyone help make this a bit more clear cut?

[johnnyreggae]

Its legendary renown for accurate reporting suggests not believing the Standard especially as the report predates the TFL announcement which is confirmed as current in the recent Southwark News story

[Venisonpie]

Sadly it's a no for e scooters on TFL network, a couple of thermal runaways spooked them somewhat (understandably).

[SmoothCriminal]

E Scooters are banned on all TFL's services.

If you get stopped at the barriers it's another matter

[valiant]

Deffo no e-scooters or e-unicycles allowed whether they fold or not on TfL services.

You may not get stopped all of the time but will be stopped some of the time and then you’d better hope you’ve got a decent charge left to get home. If you use the same stations most of time then the risk is even greater of being denied travel.

The Evening Standard stopped being a news outlet of any accuracy a long, long time ago…

[Donbot]

Get a long hiking rucksack to put it in. Though that might make security think you have a bomb.

Make sure you get a waterproof scooter, as not all of them are. Using a non-waterproof one in the wet is the reason for the vast majority of battery fires.

[bristolbaron]

Being that it’s illegal to use them to and from the station I’d think having them on the train would be the least of your worries!

[Cliftonite]

bristolbaron said:

Being that it’s illegal to use them to and from the station I’d think having them on the train would be the least of your worries!

Exactly!

[jameswills]

Cliftonite said:

bristolbaron said:

Being that it’s illegal to use them to and from the station I’d think having them on the train would be the least of your worries!

Exactly!

Confused me too. They are illegal to use on any public highway or pathway unless rented in an authorised scheme.

[Cliftonite]

jameswills said:

Cliftonite said:

bristolbaron said:

Being that it’s illegal to use them to and from the station I’d think having them on the train would be the least of your worries!

Exactly!

Confused me too. They are illegal to use on any public highway or pathway unless rented in an authorised scheme.

The self-entitled folk that mis-use these appliances will always be among us. See the Bad Parking and Crappy Number Plates threads for numerous examples of their other activities.

[Sway]

Cliftonite said:

jameswills said:

Cliftonite said:

bristolbaron said:

Being that it’s illegal to use them to and from the station I’d think having them on the train would be the least of your worries!

Exactly!

Confused me too. They are illegal to use on any public highway or pathway unless rented in an authorised scheme.

The self-entitled folk that mis-use these appliances will always be among us. See the Bad Parking and Crappy Number Plates threads for numerous examples of their other activities.

Using a well designed and manufactured one, responsibly as a road user, is not mis-use.

The fact that the laws surrounding these were written when the only electric vehicles were milk floats and the Sinclair C5, is ridiculous.

We've been searching for a decent personal mobility transport option that doesn't require personal fitness (or leave you sweaty) for decades. Now we've finally got one available thanks to technology, and the government is dragging it's heels ridiculously.

What's even worse, is due to this the majority of people using them are scroats who give zero fks about rules or proper use - building up a weight of public opinion against them.

The day they become legal (please let it be soon) - I'll be buying one. Although I'm cool as fk so it'll be an elongboard rather than a scoot... My commute would be immeasurably improved compared to getting kitted up, taking my bike with panniers, showering each end, etc.

[anonymous-user]

Sway said:

Using a well designed and manufactured one, responsibly as a road user, is not mis-use.

The fact that the laws surrounding these were written when the only electric vehicles were milk floats and the Sinclair C5, is ridiculous.

We've been searching for a decent personal mobility transport option that doesn't require personal fitness (or leave you sweaty) for decades. Now we've finally got one available thanks to technology, and the government is dragging it's heels ridiculously.

What's even worse, is due to this the majority of people using them are scroats who give zero fks about rules or proper use - building up a weight of public opinion against them.

The day they become legal (please let it be soon) - I'll be buying one. Although I'm cool as fk so it'll be an elongboard rather than a scoot... My commute would be immeasurably improved compared to getting kitted up, taking my bike with panniers, showering each end, etc.

Yes. All of that.

But I’m not sure why the OP is worried about caught with an e-scooter on a train, because that is the least of his problems. If he gets caught on a road or pavement it may result in the confiscation of the scooter and 6 points on his licence.

I would like to buy an e-scooter, but only when/if they become legal.

Long thread here on the legalities and possible legislation changes: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Donbot]

Lord Marylebone said:

Yes. All of that.

But I’m not sure why the OP is worried about caught with an e-scooter on a train, because that is the least of his problems. If he gets caught on a road or pavement it may result in the confiscation of the scooter and 6 points on his licence.

I would like to buy an e-scooter, but only when/if they become legal.

Long thread here on the legalities and possible legislation changes: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Likely because avoiding the police is (apparently) easy. Whereas you can't avoid train station staff if you want to use a train.

Edit - plus if the police do stop you they are most likely to just tell you to get off and walk. Whereas refusal to allow you on the train will screw you over pretty badly.

Edited by Donbot on Sunday 31st July 11:28

[goldar]

I won't get caught on the train as i'll simply cover it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Getting caught on the road? I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't let that happen.

[anonymous-user]

goldar said:

I won't get caught on the train as i'll simply cover it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Getting caught on the road? I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't let that happen.

Well I'm not sure how you could prevent being stopped? If a police officer sees you and decides he's going to stop you, then thats it. He'll indicate for you to stop, and you'll stop. Thats assuming you are a reasonably 'normal' citizen.

If you are far more of a criminal than you are letting on, and don't worry one bit about adding 'failing to stop for a police officer' to your rap sheet, then you could do the utterly moronic thing and try to lose them in a chase. Then possibly end up with an extra 9 points, a driving ban, a huge fine, and potentially 6 months in prison, lose your job... and so on.

I'm not trying to be rude, but trying to evade the Police if spotted, is not the behaviour of a rational person.

If you are trying to avoid getting pulled by sticking to back streets and so on, then that's a different matter.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 4th August 15:10

[Vasco]

goldar said:

I won't get caught on the train as i'll simply cover it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Getting caught on the road? I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't let that happen.

Something tells me that you're fast heading for a disappointment, or a real life experience.....

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Even if they were legal you'd never get on/be allowed on.

Try getting a booked bicycle onto a train....


Plus would you want it to be seized?


When I lived in London I used a soft bike bag to get passed the guards. Wheels off and covered they couldn't argue.

[Sway]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Even if they were legal you'd never get on/be allowed on.

Try getting a booked bicycle onto a train....


Plus would you want it to be seized?


When I lived in London I used a soft bike bag to get passed the guards. Wheels off and covered they couldn't argue.

I've never bothered 'booking' my bike, and get on absolutely fine in both directions to the South Coast.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

You've never user the Trans Penines then!


At certain times of each day even if you've booked on there's 20 people stood in the cycle area.

[ConnectionError]

goldar said:

I won't get caught on the train as i'll simply cover it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Getting caught on the road? I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't let that happen.

So, why as the original question if you have no regard for the law?