The fast reply is sure. And no.
The UK is the final main European financial system the place e-scooters are nonetheless banned to make use of wherever besides on personal land. Nevertheless, this doesn’t cease folks shopping for them, or insurers providing cowl (of kinds).
For instance, one supplier has merely up to date its cycle insurance coverage coverage by shoehorning in a reference to e-scooters. In keeping with the overall exclusions, any declare for theft or inflicting injury or harm can be rejected except the scooter is being ridden on personal land with permission.
In different phrases, the insurer will reject claims arising from using an e-scooter getting used on parks, pavements, footpaths, roads and the place it isn’t permitted by regulation.
Most e-scooters within the UK at present are being ridden illegally on footpaths or the highway. So earlier than you spend cash on e-scooter insurance coverage, contemplate rigorously whether or not the coverage pays out in case you make a declare.
There’s additionally a query mark over locking necessities. Locking away from house nonetheless makes reference to securing a bicycle by means of its body. In consequence, it’s not clear how that applies to e-scooters, which don’t have a body within the typical sense.
When will e-scooters be authorized on UK roads?
Beneath present British regulation, e-scooter riders face a £300 fixed-penalty discover and 6 factors on their driving licence for utilizing them on the highway or pavement. The regulation classifies e-scooters as motor automobiles, however their authorized standing is additional hampered by the actual fact they don’t have a seat which is at the moment a requirement of all highway going automobiles. That implies that excluding the assorted trial schemes dotted across the nation, you may’t journey an e-scooter on a public highway, on pavements or cycle lanes. You additionally should be 18 or over to make use of one.
Eire has very lately made e-scooters authorized to make use of on public roads and cycle lanes and with no requirement for registration or insurance coverage, however restricted to a pace of 15.5mph. Nevertheless, there are not any indications the UK plans to comply with swimsuit anytime quickly.
e-scooters too harmful for the roads? Wait ’until you hear about vehicles
The moral alternative
The ETA was established in 1990 as an moral supplier of inexperienced, dependable journey providers. Over 30 years on, we proceed to supply cycle insurance coverage , breakdown cowl and mobility scooter insurance coverage whereas placing concern for the atmosphere on the coronary heart of all we do.
The Good Purchasing Information judges us to be the UK’s most moral supplier.
