Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, Deputy Chief of Road Police at Police Scotland, said: “We understand that e-scooters are an attractive option for Christmas gifts this year, but we urge people to fully understand the law and the impact of using an electric scooter on a road or other public place. The safety of all road users is our priority and the last thing we want to do is ruin a Christmas by reporting them to the courts and taking away a beloved and expensive Christmas gift. Overall, they are equipped with a board to stand on, two (or three) wheels, a brake (perhaps front and rear), handlebars, throttle valve, small battery and, of course, the electric motor that powers everything. These machines can power users quickly and almost silently up to 15 mph (in some cases faster) and form the first of a new wave of personal transport for thousands of people every day. Electric scooters have the potential to be a valuable tool in Active Travel`s arsenal, helping us achieve Scotland`s net-zero carbon goal. The document states that the use of the scooters, which are allowed to drive at 15 miles per hour in public spaces in parts of the UK, would be closely monitored if they were introduced. Glasgow City Council leaders will encourage the Scottish government to legalise electric scooters on the “road network”. Although senior officers warned that it was illegal to use them in a public place, the prime minister jumped on an electric scooter while campaigning ahead of the Holyrood election. Earlier this year, Glasgow City Council called on the Scottish government to legalise e-scooters as part of a proposed strategy to make transport more environmentally friendly on the road network. Commenting on the topic, the social media user said: “Literally, every time I go to central Edinburgh now, I see illegal electric scooters using the streets. The letter states: “This would end the dangerous position we currently have where at least hundreds of thousands of completely unregulated e-scooters (when driven on public roads) are used illegally, but we have no firm plans to deal with them.” People can rent electric scooters, often with smartphone apps, similar to renting bikes in the city center. Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK, added: “This change should be made across the UK so that e-scooters are legalised in consultation with the devolved administrations of the four countries.” Electric scooters can exceed 30 mph (48.3 km/h), although many are limited to 15.5 mph (24.9 km/h). “There is currently no such rental scheme in Scotland and the private use of e-scooters in a public place is not legal.” He added: “Encourage the Scottish Government to amend legislation to allow the use of e-scooters on the road network in Scotland, subject to positive test results.” Since they don`t always have visible red taillights, license plates, or signage capability, they can`t be used legally on the streets.
Glasgow`s proposed Strategy Council said: “Recognising the role that e-scooters can play in a sustainable transport system in Glasgow.” Electric scooters are currently classified as personal light electric vehicles (PEVs), so they are treated as motor vehicles and are subject to the same legal requirements as any other motor vehicle that requires insurance, a valid driver`s license, and compliance with various design and use requirements. “The UK government has signalled its intention to publish proposals in 2022 for a possible legalisation of e-scooters beyond current trials. Less than a year after Nicola Sturgeon was again sacked by Police Scotland, calls have been made for the legalisation of e-scooters in the UK. They said: “The UK government has introduced legislation testing the use of e-scooters by local authorities for a period of 12 months through licensed rental companies. It is currently illegal to use an electric scooter on a public road or trail in Scotland, although the devices are legal to purchase. Police also said they are asking retailers selling e-scooters to make sure they inform their buyers of the regulations at the time of purchase. In reality, the majority of electric scooters currently on sale do not meet the legal requirements to be used on the road in our current legal framework. The electric scooter market has exploded, with the global market size being around $14.28 billion in 2020 and expected to reach $31.04 billion by 2028.
Consumers voted with their feet and electric scooters flew off the shelves of UK stores. Electric scooters are a classic example of how technological change can go beyond the current legal framework of transport. Under the current legal framework, in particular the Road Traffic Act 1988, electric scooters and other vans with new engines are considered motor vehicles. Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, Deputy Chief of The Highway Police for Police Scotland, said: “We understand that electric scooters are an attractive option for Christmas gifts this year. However, it is important to clarify that these are not toys and it is illegal to use them in public. If an electric scooter is on your list of things to do at Christmas, make sure you know how and where to use it safely. The law on electric bikes – which are battery-assisted pedal bikes – does not currently apply to e-scooters, but the government wants to regulate them in the same way in the future.