E Scooters soon to be allowed on UK roads?
Discussion
thetapeworm said:
"E-scooters seized in Coventry city centre as police enforce ban"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-war...
It reads aa though the issue is riders not dismounting in a pedestrian area rather than the use of scooters as a whole.
The "Krypton" bike in the main photo looks to be 750W, and hence illegal to use anywhere in public. There's a huge number of bikes with motors over 250W being imported and sold, and while I'm sure many people know they are illegal I'm also sure that many people don't, and just want something to get around.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-war...
It reads aa though the issue is riders not dismounting in a pedestrian area rather than the use of scooters as a whole.
Edited by thetapeworm on Friday 8th December 00:35
Graveworm said:
The rentals are allowed because they are a pilot despite needing a driving licence to hire them they are failing and they have been extended, where councils haven't cancelled them, to try and see if they can be saved. But new pilot schemes have been banned.
As for the environment, people were changing from cleaner transport to the e-scooters so they were worse for the environment not better. The original report in favour of the trial already said they would not be of benefit for the environment, based on the experience around the world. The principle benefits put forward were that they would be a good way for poor people to get around, who could not afford other powered vehicles and for alternative to public transport in the Pandemic.
I think a few surveys showed that they were mostly used to replace walking. eg. a half an hour walk to work is now 5-10 min ride. It's giving people more time to do something else other than travelling. The same reason people choose a 15 minute drive rather than a 45 minute bus.As for the environment, people were changing from cleaner transport to the e-scooters so they were worse for the environment not better. The original report in favour of the trial already said they would not be of benefit for the environment, based on the experience around the world. The principle benefits put forward were that they would be a good way for poor people to get around, who could not afford other powered vehicles and for alternative to public transport in the Pandemic.
Gareth79 said:
thetapeworm said:
"E-scooters seized in Coventry city centre as police enforce ban"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-war...
It reads aa though the issue is riders not dismounting in a pedestrian area rather than the use of scooters as a whole.
The "Krypton" bike in the main photo looks to be 750W, and hence illegal to use anywhere in public. There's a huge number of bikes with motors over 250W being imported and sold, and while I'm sure many people know they are illegal I'm also sure that many people don't, and just want something to get around.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-war...
It reads aa though the issue is riders not dismounting in a pedestrian area rather than the use of scooters as a whole.
Edited by thetapeworm on Friday 8th December 00:35
Graveworm said:
The rentals are allowed because they are a pilot despite needing a driving licence to hire them they are failing and they have been extended, where councils haven't cancelled them, to try and see if they can be saved. But new pilot schemes have been banned.
As for the environment, people were changing from cleaner transport to the e-scooters so they were worse for the environment not better. The original report in favour of the trial already said they would not be of benefit for the environment, based on the experience around the world. The principle benefits put forward were that they would be a good way for poor people to get around, who could not afford other powered vehicles and for alternative to public transport in the Pandemic.
I think a few surveys showed that they were mostly used to replace walking. eg. a half an hour walk to work is now 5-10 min ride. It's giving people more time to do something else other than travelling. The same reason people choose a 15 minute drive rather than a 45 minute bus.As for the environment, people were changing from cleaner transport to the e-scooters so they were worse for the environment not better. The original report in favour of the trial already said they would not be of benefit for the environment, based on the experience around the world. The principle benefits put forward were that they would be a good way for poor people to get around, who could not afford other powered vehicles and for alternative to public transport in the Pandemic.
Cycles are frequently used as an example where the additional risks they pose to the health of the rider, from injuries, are far outweighed by the health benefits of cycling. It doesn't sit well with escooters are a good idea because people will cycle and walk less and it will move people off the pavement and into the road.
It does sit well with less time travelling, is better for the economy etc. but that argument has been dismissed many times over congestion, traffic calming and speed limits. However hypocrisy is seldom a barrier, so who knows what the future holds. There almost certainly won't be any announcement this side of an election.
Edited by Graveworm on Friday 8th December 14:11
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-somerset-...
AUNTY Beeb says:
M5: E-scooter rider arrested on motorway hard shoulder
A man has been charged after police stopped a suspect riding an e-scooter on the M5.
Avon and Somerset police were called to the northbound M5 between junction 25 (Taunton) and junction 24 (Bridgwater) at around 03:00 GMT.
Jamal Rabeh, 29, from Staplegrove in Somerset, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.
He was also charged with driving without insurance and being a learner driver on a motorway.
AUNTY Beeb says:
M5: E-scooter rider arrested on motorway hard shoulder
A man has been charged after police stopped a suspect riding an e-scooter on the M5.
Avon and Somerset police were called to the northbound M5 between junction 25 (Taunton) and junction 24 (Bridgwater) at around 03:00 GMT.
Jamal Rabeh, 29, from Staplegrove in Somerset, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.
He was also charged with driving without insurance and being a learner driver on a motorway.
OutInTheShed said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-somerset-...
AUNTY Beeb says:
M5: E-scooter rider arrested on motorway hard shoulder
A man has been charged after police stopped a suspect riding an e-scooter on the M5.
Avon and Somerset police were called to the northbound M5 between junction 25 (Taunton) and junction 24 (Bridgwater) at around 03:00 GMT.
Jamal Rabeh, 29, from Staplegrove in Somerset, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.
He was also charged with driving without insurance and being a learner driver on a motorway.
Heroically stupid. Deserved a Darwin.AUNTY Beeb says:
M5: E-scooter rider arrested on motorway hard shoulder
A man has been charged after police stopped a suspect riding an e-scooter on the M5.
Avon and Somerset police were called to the northbound M5 between junction 25 (Taunton) and junction 24 (Bridgwater) at around 03:00 GMT.
Jamal Rabeh, 29, from Staplegrove in Somerset, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.
He was also charged with driving without insurance and being a learner driver on a motorway.
Graveworm said:
[snip]There almost certainly won't be any announcement this side of an election.
That is certain, the same goes for decriminalisation (or dual enforcement) of pavement parking to allow local authorities to enforce it.I think both may be dealt with by a new Labour government, although pavement parking will be something that I think many councils don't actually want to have to enforce.
Radio 4 item on e-scooters. Trials extended for 2 years. Doctor interviewed who stopped using his after getting £300 fine and 6 PTS on his license.
He was using it mainly for commuting to replace his car. 15mph limited. Time for the govt to get their finger out?
Trials been going for 4 years.
He was using it mainly for commuting to replace his car. 15mph limited. Time for the govt to get their finger out?
Trials been going for 4 years.
irc said:
Radio 4 item on e-scooters. Trials extended for 2 years. Doctor interviewed who stopped using his after getting £300 fine and 6 PTS on his license.
He was using it mainly for commuting to replace his car. 15mph limited. Time for the govt to get their finger out?
Trials been going for 4 years.
I listened to that R4 programme. The Dr said he knew he was riding it illegally yet still moaned at getting prosecuted, saying he hoped he would get a warning. You'd think a professional person like a Dr would be a bit more sensible and not knowingly ride without insurance, registration etc. I've no sympathy for him.He was using it mainly for commuting to replace his car. 15mph limited. Time for the govt to get their finger out?
Trials been going for 4 years.
And that's coming from someone who thinks scooters should be made legal for everyone, I think they can solve lots of problems, reduce congestion and make places more accessible. But knowingly riding one on the roads knowing it's illegal is just plain stupid, especially for a doctor.
Yes.It's an odd choice. If the primary use was commuting to his surgery he could have arranged secure parking thus removing the biggest disadvantage of e-bikes and commuted legally at 15mph while also IMO being safer than on a scooter with smaller wheels.
And be 6pts and several hundred quid better off.
And be 6pts and several hundred quid better off.
Miserablegit said:
Driving through Cambridge on Sunday evening there were multiple illegal e-scooters- no lights on, ignoring red lights and generally driving poorly. The scooters had number plates but they were blank. All seemed to be driven by deliveroo riders…
Deliveroo riders sourced from the bank of illegal immigrants: "Cash only mate". When in doubt, scarper quick 
JQ said:
I'm not sure if you'd be able to answer this, but was there any consideration given to the possibility that rental schemes did not reflect ownership use? I've never rented one in the UK (despite there being a scheme in town), but i would buy one. I'd use it for short journeys direct from my home in the suburbs where currently I drive.
Sorry for the belated reply, but this cuts to the heart of it. I've no interest in paying £8-12 quid a day to rent one, assuming there's a rental point almost outside my house (unlikely). I would be interested in buying one @ £300 (ish) and using it intermittently in decent weather. Commute is 4 miles. Parents are 1 mile away, sometimes I walk, mainly I drive.
Not willing to risk points on my car licence. So if I do get anything, it will be an ebike. Which, on balance, is probably more suitable anyway
A twist I hadn't expected, TIER, the company behind the scheme in York, that I often use as an example as a well run setup using good geofencing that appears to be popular in the places it's intended for, have pulled out and decided not to extend the trial in favour of other places that promise growth.
The scheme has been trialing for 4 years now at the same levels with only a few eBikes being introduced later on, quite how much trialing is needed before it just becomes a thing?
https://www.york.gov.uk/news/article/1408/tier-to-...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-y...
They are looking at a replacement operator to take over but will some people's reliance on the service from TIER mean they look to go rogue with a scooter of their own and turn into filthy self sufficient criminals that can ride anywhere without the machine shutting off or not catching fire?
A lot of the companies have pushed the prices up, such that regular use is probably quite expensive, leaving it to occasional/tourist/leisure users.
For commuting/regular use you'd want to own your own scooter, and given a quality one costs ~£250 there would be a high demand if they were legal.
For commuting/regular use you'd want to own your own scooter, and given a quality one costs ~£250 there would be a high demand if they were legal.
We don't have scooter hire but the bike hire scheme here in Leeds (Beryl) is £1.00 to unlock the bike and then 16p a minute of riding - a 15 minute journey costs around £3.40.
You can also buy a bundle of minutes, 100 is £16, or a riding pass where it's £9 for a day with a restriction on you being able to ride for 60 minutes, a 20 day pass for £32 that allows you 300 minutes. Both of these come with free unlocks.
Then there's the "Commuter Pass" that's £36 for 30 days but with 600 minutes and a £1 per unlock fee.
All of these are subject to a £10 charge if you don't park in a bay, £10 if you park in a bay and don't lock the bike, £25 if you just ride out of the zone the bikes operate in and then £80 extra if you don't come back into the zone within 24 hours.
The price of the bus (£2 fixed fares) or even an Uber isn't far away from some of these charges.
You can also buy a bundle of minutes, 100 is £16, or a riding pass where it's £9 for a day with a restriction on you being able to ride for 60 minutes, a 20 day pass for £32 that allows you 300 minutes. Both of these come with free unlocks.
Then there's the "Commuter Pass" that's £36 for 30 days but with 600 minutes and a £1 per unlock fee.
All of these are subject to a £10 charge if you don't park in a bay, £10 if you park in a bay and don't lock the bike, £25 if you just ride out of the zone the bikes operate in and then £80 extra if you don't come back into the zone within 24 hours.
The price of the bus (£2 fixed fares) or even an Uber isn't far away from some of these charges.
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