The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety has presented recommendations, reporting that the Government should immediately address dangerous and illegal private e-scooter use. It is suggested that the Government create a new low-speed zero-emissions vehicle category with regulations for construction & use to include:
- helmet wearing to be mandatory
- rider age limit of at least 16 years
- in-person rider training is recommended
- third-party insurance is recommended
- carrying of a passenger to be prohibited
- maximum possible speed of 12.5mph (20km/h)
- maximum continuous rated power of 250w
- maximum unladen weight of 20kg
- minimum front wheel side of 12 inches (30cm)
- minimum rear wheel size of 10 inches (25cm)
- two independently controlled braking devices, one acting on the front wheel and one on the rear wheel
- an audible warning device to be mandatory
- lighting to be mandatory at all times
- anti-tampering mechanisms should be included in the construction
- tampering should be prohibited by law
- riding on the footway (pavement) or footpath is prohibited
- drink-driving, dangerous or careless riding and handheld mobile phone use to be prohibited
14/01/2025 – PACTS Expertise, their E-scooter safety can be read here. More eScooter information and a link to news from 2021, can be found here.