E-scooters are becoming an increasingly popular way to get around, not just in the UK, but around the world. They’re certainly cheaper than running a car and you get to avoid traffic jams.
But as more people use them on our roads, cycle lanes, and illegally on pavements, the number of accidents involving electric scooters is also rising.
According to the UK’s Department of Transport, in 2021 there were three e-scooter fatalities and more than 800 accidents.
- 882 accidents involving e-scooters
- 931 casualties
- 3 e-scooter rider deaths
- 253 people seriously injured
- 675 people slightly injured
Are e-scooters safe?
Electric scooters should be no less dangerous than riding a bike or a motorcycle if used correctly and if riders obey the Highway Code.
However, a recent US study found that e-scooter riders were 16 times more likely to be injured than a car driver.
The Government has set up 57 trial areas in towns and cities in the UK where members of the public can rent an electric scooter and legally ride them on roads or in cycle lanes.
These are the regulations in these trials to protect the public:
- E-scooters speed maximum of 15.5mph
- Valid driver’s licence required
- Insurance provided through rental agency
The e-scooter rental providers in the trial areas ensure that a user has a driver’s licence, is given insurance and provides them with a scooter with an automatic speed cap.
They are considered ‘motor vehicles’ for the purposes of insurance, so if such insurance is held then, subject to the rider/driver being at fault, a personal injury claim can be made.
Are e-scooters dangerous?
E-scooters rules
Currently, outside of the UK Government’s trial areas, it’s not legal to use an e-scooter on public land as they don’t always have visible rear red lights, number plates or signalling ability.
They currently fall under the same laws as motor vehicles, and so require an MOT, tax and licensing. Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land.
The only e-scooters that can be legally used on public roads are those that are rented as part of government-backed trials.
E-scooter legislation
- E-scooters can only be used in public in 57 trial locations
- You must be at least 16 and have a driving licence
- You must rent / hire one from a registered business
- You must stick to the max 15.5mph speed limit
- You can legally use an e-scooter on private land / property
E-scooter fines
If you don’t have a licence, or the correct licence, or are riding without insurance you could face a Fixed Penalty notice:
- With a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance
- Up to £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence
You could also be committing an offence if you’re caught:
- Riding on a pavement: Fixed Penalty Notice and possible £50 fine
- Using a mobile phone while riding: £100 and six penalty points
- Riding through red lights: Fixed Penalty Notice, £100 fine and possible penalty points
- Drink driving: The same as if you were driving a car, you could face fines, a driving ban and prison
Can I make a claim if I’m involved in an accident with an e-scooter?
If the electric scooter is being operated by a registered rental provider in one of the government trial areas then they would be insured against accidents in public, so a claim would be possible.
However, anyone using an e-scooter privately on roads and pavements across the UK is doing so illegally. Should there be an accident they would be uninsured making a claim for damages or compensation difficult.
Assuming you live outside of these trial areas, where e-scooters are being illegally used in public they would certainly not be covered by a home insurance policy.
There is no requirement for anyone owning an e-scooter privately to hold third-party insurance, like there is for car or motorbike ownership.
While standard public liability cover is routinely included in home insurance policies, such policies also specifically exclude cover for accidents involving any motorised vehicle/electrically assisted pedal cycle.
You could, technically, bring a claim against the e-scooter rider directly, but chances of being able enforce any judgement may be slim.
In typical road accidents, if a driver of a vehicle has no insurance, or cannot be traced then the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) will investigate the claim in place of an insurer and if there is evidence on fault on the part of the driver, make a payment for personal injury compensation.
The MIB will not currently accept claims where a victim has been injured by an e-scooter.
Is the law on e-scooters likely to change?
The trials of e-scooters in the UK have been extended to November 2022. During the trial period the government will gather information on:
- Safety outcomes for e-scooter users and other road users
- Details of trips made – how far, routes, speed
- Effect on local transport system
- Lessons for future rollout
- What a future rules should include, such as speed and licensing
- Overall costs and benefits to society
MPs on the government’s Transport Committee believe e-scooters should be made legal, for road use only, as it would benefit people on lower incomes, result in faster journey times and be used for business deliveries.
Making a Road Traffic Accident Claim
Our team of highly experienced road traffic accident solicitors understand that being involved in an accident can have a devastating and sometimes life-changing impact, not only on you but also on your loved ones.
Each year, we help hundreds of people through ‘no win no fee’ road traffic accident claims, supporting them throughout the process and successfully securing compensation, you can begin your claim here.