
Living in the UK, we're sure you've seen your fair share of scooter riders across the nation. In country parks, along city streets, and sometimes on the road, electric scooters seem to be everywhere. You'd be forgiven for thinking that it's legal to ride in those places, but as we're about to find out, that might not be the case.

Across the world, a number of e-scooter rental platforms have sprung up. [Lime](https://www.li.me) and [Bird](https://www.bird.co) have monopolised the US market, while [Voi](https://www.voiscooters.com/) and [Tier](https://www.tier.app/) have recently been taking the European micromobility market by storm. And why not? City streets are the perfect place for the scooter rental model. Avoiding the congestion of driving through busy cities is a huge attraction for many and with collapsible lightweight scooters like the [9 Pro Edition](/9-pro-edition), scooters can easily become part of the commute.

Unfortunately, although the same benefits exist in UK cities, [laws](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powered-transporters/information-sheet-guidance-on-powered-transporters) surrounding the use of electric scooters mean that riding private e-scooters on public land isn't strictly legal. Currently, e-scooters are only available to ride within a small number of designated [trial areas](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users#trial-areas), and even then, only when using rentals from authorised operators. This is a measured first step from the government that allows them to understand the impact and requirements before allowing them nation-wide.

![Most European countries have e-scooter regulation, but the UK is lagging behind.](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598077739309-b1a54c34291e?ixid=MXwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2251&q=80)

## Current Guidance

The government's [guidance for users](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users) gives us some interesting insights though. We have to remember that these are current guidelines, but there's a fair chance that we'll see similar rules once the trials are over. Here's what we've seen on the [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users) site:

### Speed Limits

> The maximum speed for an e-scooter is 15.5mph.

This is inline with what we've seen from the e-scooter industry in general. Most entry-level scooters will provide speeds up to 15mph (25km/h), limited by the scooter's speed controller. We think this is likely to remain the same for private e-scooters too.

### Driving Licenses

> You must have the category Q entitlement on your driving licence to use an e-scooter.

A provisional driving license will cover you here, which makes sense. Riding an e-scooter is similar to riding a traditionally powered scooter. Unlike riding a bicycle, you're not providing the power, which means you need to be aware and in-control of your scooter to stay safe. Having road awareness is a basic requirement when sharing the same space with other vehicles.

### Insurance

> E-scooters must have motor insurance, but you do not need to arrange this as this will be provided by your e-scooter rental operator.

Clearly, e-scooters will require insurance once trials are over. For now, under the trial system with rental operators, e-scooter riders are covered. Some other countries in the EU, [like Germany](https://blogs.transparent.com/german/the-new-law-in-germany-for-e-scooters/), require e-scooter insurance. In those countries, you can buy an insurance policy for around 30-40 Euros a year, so we expect UK insurance costs to be in a similar ballpark.

### Areas of Use

> You may use a trial e-scooter on the road (except motorways) and in cycle lanes. You must not use an e-scooter on the pavement.

As a powered vehicle, this is a no brainer. When the law allows you to ride your e-scooter at speeds up to 15.5mph, you shouldn't be dangerously sharing the same space with pedestrians. Being able to make use of cycle lanes though is a big win for scooter riders, especially as the UK continues to prioritise bicycle lanes across the country with a [£250m investment planned](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/09/uk-to-invest-cycle-lanes-coronavirus-air-pollution).

### Registration Plates

> E-scooters do not need to be registered, display registration plates or pay vehicle excise duty.

Some countries in the EU, require e-scooters display registration plates, but apparently, the UK will deviate from these. No vehicle excise duty (VED) means no yearly cost associated with owning an e-scooter.

![Some countries require scooter registration plates.](/images/articles/manke-scooter.png)

### Mobile Phones

> You must not use a mobile phone when using an e-scooter. You may use a screen to display navigation information, but this must be set up prior to setting off.

Mounting a smartphone to your e-scooter is a great of navigating complex city streets. We like mounts like [this one](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JGP4VW2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2), that will withstand any bumps along the way. If your scooter has a connected app like the [9 Pro Edition](/9-pro-edition), then you can even setup a heads up display with quick scooter controls on the go.

## What We Think

The government's stance is changing when it comes to e-scooters and we're excited to hear how they think the trials have gone. They've given us a lot of useful guidance, and although it still isn't legal to ride your own e-scooter on public property, we don't think it'll be long until that changes. When it does, we expect the rules to be similar to what we see today within the trial areas.


You might be seeing scooters everywhere across the UK, but is it legal to ride them?

Are Electric Scooters Legal in The UK? E-Scooter Law in The UK.


Right now in the middle of a pandemic, there's lots of talk about staying safe. We're going to change the topic slightly, and make it all about our favourite thing in the world: electric scooters. What are some of the simple things you can do to stay safe when riding e-scooters?

## Your Scooter

It all starts with the scooter that you ride. There are certain things you should be looking for on a scooter, especially one you plan on riding in the UK.

### Visibility

Being seen by others is arguably one of the most important factors. Bright front and rear lights are a bare minimum, and side reflectors are an important addition to make you seen from the side. A lot of e-scooters feature slick black or dark grey designs, so without these sort of safety devices, they can be very hard to see in low light.

Before you ride your scooter, you should always make sure that your lights work and any reflective strips are clean from dirt and dust. Some scooters also feature a rear brake light, that illuminates when using the brake, even when the lights aren't permanently switched on. Look for a scooter that features as many of these safety designs as possible. The [9 Pro Edition](/9-pro-edition) covers you on all these counts, keeping you safe in British low light conditions.

![With dark scooters, lights are critical if you want to stay safe in low light.](/images/articles/rear-brake-light.png)

### Brakes

When you can reach speeds of up to 15mph (25km/h) you need a reliable way of stopping. E-Scooter models feature a variety of brake types:

#### Disc

These are usually triggered by a mechanical level through a cable system, although you may see hydraulics used instead of a cable. Because these don't rely on any electronics, they are extremely reliable and usually easy to maintain. On top of this, they're very lightweight and provide excellent braking power. The 9 Pro Edition uses a mechanical disc brake on its rear wheel. The calliper used to grip the spinning rotor on the wheel should be inspected regularly as well as the rotor itself. Since these are both exposed to the elements, they're at most risk of damage.

![Disc brakes operate by a mechanical calliper gripping a spinning metal rotor attached to the wheel.](/images/articles/rear-wheel-brake.png)

#### Drum

These brakes are fully enclosed within the wheel and when braking, push pads against the inside of the wheel drum to reduce the speed of the spinning wheel. They're generally heavier than other systems and achieve lower braking power. On the other hand, being fully enclosed means they aren't susceptible to wet weather and don't need as much maintenance as a disk brake.

#### Foot

Usually seen on slower-speed push scooters, foot brakes work by stepping on the rear fender so that it comes into contact with the spinning wheel. These are one of the weakest types of brakes and you'll rarely see these on electric scooters. A lot of the time people will mistakenly assume that their scooter has a foot brake when it doesn't. This can be disastrous though, as any wiring for the rear brake will run through the inside of the fender. Over time, applying the wiring to the spinning wheel can fray and sever the rear light connection.

#### Regenerative/Electronic

There's very little difference between regenerative and electronic braking systems. Both use the resistance in the motor to slow the wheel rotation, but only regenerative braking provides energy back to the battery. A scooter only equipped with this type of braking will provide poor stopping power, but combined with another brake such as disc or drum, a regenerative braking system can be useful for extending the battery of a scooter.

### Tyres

Especially in the UK, having good grip in wet conditions is an important requirement for an electric scooter. Before riding, you should inspect your tyres to make sure they have enough tread left on them. On scooters with air-filled tyres, you should check their air pressure is high enough. Low air pressure can make punctures more likely, which will completely cripple your ride and reduce traction. If you're using tyres with a honeycomb structure, then you don't have to worry about punctures.

![Always make sure your tyres have plenty of tread left on your tyres to give you the best control.](/images/articles/front-tyre.png)

## Accessories

Once you've sorted out your scooter, there are some final bits and pieces that will help make you much safer on your wheels.

### Helmet

Critical for any ride is a helmet. Style shouldn't be a problem with the huge selection of bicycle helmets available online and in retail shops across the UK. In Australia, [bicycling fatalities have almost halved since compulsory helmet laws were introduced in the 1990s](https://www.smh.com.au/national/report-reveals-how-many-lives-have-been-saved-by-bike-helmets-20190208-p50wj7.html). We really shouldn't have to say any more about this. Wear a helmet.

### Pads

Depending on your risk tolerance, elbow and knee pads might be a good idea. If you were to fall with pads on you'd have a much higher chance of coming off better than the ground. We did some Googling and found a few pairs of decent cycling pads here and here.

### Gloves

Whizzing around at 15mph might be fine during the 7 days of Summer that the UK experiences every year, but you'll want something over your hands during colder months. We love these gloves that include special fingertips for using your phone (though you should not be using your phone while riding). As long as you can operate the throttle and brakes, you should be ok.

![](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1570385456135-53b38386a848?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MXwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHw%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1650&q=80)


Stay safe on your electric scooter with our quick guide.

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