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Go peds/motorised scooters


Answer

A trial has been set up regarding the use of e-scooters on roads and in cycle lanes. The trial has been designed to help understand whether the devices reduce motor traffic, as well as their impact on safety for users and others. They will be strictly prohibited on pavements, will be limited to 15.5mph and riders are recommended to wear helmets.

Users will need a full or provisional car, motorcycle or moped licence to take part in the trials and must be 16 or over. E-scooters in the trials also need to be covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy - it is understood rental operators will ensure a policy is in place that covers users of the vehicles, but we would suggest you check this before using the e-scooter.

To avoid a flood of poor-quality scooters onto the streets, the regulations only cover rental schemes. Individually owned scooters will still be illegal on public roads.

The trial will be closely monitored so the Government can assess the benefits of e-scooters and their impact on public space. For further information and to find out how long the trials will be allowed see the link to the Government guidance under Related Information and via the link below:

GOV.UK - E-scooter trials: guidance for users


Answer

It is important for the police to obtain as much information as possible with regards to the details of the car/bike and also the driver/rider and passengers. You do not have to disclose your details to the police when making a report.

It is best to contact the police as soon as the cars/bikes arrive so that the police have a better chance of apprehending those responsible. You can report nuisance motor vehicles to your local police force via their 101 non-emergency number.


Answer

Electric scooters, quads, go-peds, mini-motos, hoverboards and Segways
In legal terms, these are all examples of vehicles that may be considered motor vehicles and are therefore subject to all the usual legal requirements that apply to other motor vehicles such as cars or motorcycles.

Therefore, they cannot be used on the road unless they are taxed (if required), registered, have an MOT (if required), are insured and the driver has a valid driving licence for the category of vehicle. If any of these requirements are not met, the vehicle can't legally be driven/ridden on the road.

In reality, many of these types of vehicle will never be 'road legal' because their design fails to meet road-vehicle safety standards.

Note also that it's an offence to use such vehicles on the pavement too.

They cannot be used on council land e.g., parks, unless there is a designated area specifically for them. In some areas, there may be commercially operated parks where they can be used.

They can only legally be used on private land/property with the permission of the land/property owner. However, note that it's against the law for a child under 13 to drive/ride on a tractor or self-propelled vehicle e.g., a quad, when it's being used in agricultural operations.

Electric bikes
Electric bikes known as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) can be used on the road as long as they meet certain requirements (see Q605) and the rider is at least 14 years old.

EAPCs aren't classed as motor vehicles and so don't require insurance and the driver doesn't need a driving licence. Additionally, they are exempt from having to be registered and vehicle tax.

EAPCs cannot be used on the pavement.

Electric scooter trials
In some parts of the country, you can legally rent an electric scooter as part of a government trial – this is explained in Q1062.


Answer

You should contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101 and provide them with as much detail as possible. For example, if known, who the youths are and where they're from, descriptions of the youths, vehicles and times when they tend to ride.

Community Support Officers are a valuable source of information and the team may be aware of other incidents or the identity of the youths involved.

The police have a number of powers to deal with the use of such vehicles, these include the seizure of the vehicle under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Power to seize vehicles driven without a licence or insurance) or section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (seizure of vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance).


Answer

You should contact your local police force via 101 and provide them with as much information as possible. For example, the names of any youths involved, a description or the registration numbers of the vehicles. The earlier you contact the police regarding the incident the more chance the police will have of catching the individuals.

The police have a number of powers to deal with the use of such vehicles these include the seizure of the vehicle under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Power to seize vehicles driven without licence or insurance) or section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (seizure of vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance).

The cars used also often have no insurance, tax or MOT. If you are aware of where these cars are being left then contact the police so they can be towed away. You can report nuisance motor vehicles to your local police force via their 101 non-emergency number.


Answer

If the land is council owned then it is unlikely that they will have given permission for the youths to ride their quad bikes on it. If the youths are appearing on a regular basis on the field then contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101. Community Support Officers are a valuable source of information and the team may be aware of other incidents or the identity of the youths involved.

The police have a number of powers to deal with the use of such vehicles, these include the seizure of the vehicle under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Power to seize vehicles driven without a licence or insurance) or section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (seizure of vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance).


Answer

You should contact your local police via their 101 non-emergency number and report the circumstances to them.
 
The police have a number of powers to deal with such issues, including imposing fines, penalty points and in some cases seizing vehicles.


Answer

An Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) must:

  • Have pedals that can be used to propel it.
  • Have two or more wheels – can be a tricycle or quadricycle.
  • Have an electric motor not exceeding 250 watts that can't propel the bike when it's travelling at more than 15.5mph.
  • Have plate showing the:

- Manufacturer's name
- Battery voltage and output of the motor

Or, be marked with the:

- Manufacturer's name
- Maximum speed in mph or kph
- Power of the motor in watts or kilowatts

  • Be fitted with a leak proof battery
  • Be fitted with a controller biased to the off position that allows power to come from the motor only when the drive is operated.
  • Be fitted with a braking system that complies with EU/UK legislation/standards.
  • Not be ridden by a person under 14.

An EAPC that complies with the above can be ridden on the road and won't need to be taxed, registered or insured and the rider won't need a driving licence or have to wear a helmet.

There are many electric bikes available on the internet that don't conform to the above requirements – such bikes must be taxed, registered and insured as a motor vehicle, the rider will require an appropriate driving licence and must wear a crash helmet. Additionally, the bike will have to be type or individually approved before it can be registered.

If you want to buy an EAPC , we would suggest you go to a reputable dealer to ensure the bike complies with the law.


Answer

The licence you need to ride a Piaggio MP3 will depend on the power output and the spacing of the front wheels.

If the vehicle is classed as a motorcycle you'll need the appropriate category for its power output:

  • A1- Light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW per kg) and 125 cc. The minimum age is 17.
  • A2- Standard motorcycle up to 35 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW per kg) bike must not be derived from vehicle more than twice its power. The minimum age is 19.
  • A- Unrestricted motorcycles in power/size, with or without a sidecar. The minimum age is 21.

If the vehicle is classed as a tricycle, you can drive a motor tricycle of any power rating if you are over 21 and have a full car driving licence. If not, you will need a full category A1 motorbike licence to ride motor tricycles up to a power output 15 kW , and a full category A motorbike licence to ride trikes with a power output of more than 15 kW .

Contact your local police force

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