Christmas e-scooter warning issued by PSNI

Shauna Corr

29 November 2024 at 2:04 pm·2-min read

It is illegal to use electric scooters on public roads and in public spaces in Northern Ireland — -Credit: (Image: Justin Kernoghan)

Police have warned than any e-scooters gifted this Christmas can only be used on private land.

The PSNI took to social media to issue a reminder that it is still illegal to drive the mechanical devices on the road or footpaths in Northern Ireland.

Rental e-scooters have been legalised in some English cities, where users can take them on the road, pavements and cycle lanes - but privately owned e-scooters remain illegal there according to London's Metropolitan Police as they can't be insured for use on the road, public spaces like parks, pavements or shopping centres.

The Met Police warn that if you cause an accident on an e-scooter it would be investigated "in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car".

A Belfast mum spoke out last January about how her 12-year-old almost lost a leg in an e-scooter incident in a warning to other parents about their dangers.

She said at the time "I'm counting my lucky stars this morning he wasn’t killed".

In Northern Ireland, all types of e-scooters remain illegal. Police said: "Thinking of buying someone an e-scooter for Christmas? Please remember that you can only ride an e-scooter on private land. They cannot be used on public roads or pavements. Make sure you are on the right side of the law.

"E-scooters, scramblers, go-peds, buzz boards, quads and mini-motos do not generally comply with construction and use legislation and vehicle standards so are therefore, restricted to off-road use only.

"Anyone found using an electric scooter anywhere other than on private property, with the permission of the landowner, should expect to receive a formal warning as a minimum course of action and given the opportunity to walk their scooter home with advice to its further use.

"Repeat offenders may have their e-scooter seized as an uninsured vehicle and may be issued with fixed penalty notices or reported to the Public Prosecution Service."

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