Plymouth police tackle illegal e-scooter, e-bike and e-motorcycle riders
Operation RideSafe is the police response in the Plymouth area to increasing concerns around anti-social behaviour, crime and road safety linked to privately owned e-scooters, e-bikes that have been modified to allow motor assistance over 15.5mph and electric motorcycles.
It brings together enforcement, prevention, education and partnership activity to tackle the issue.
Inspector Tim Hinde, leading on active police intervention of anti-social, dangerous and illegal riders in Plymouth, said: “It is currently illegal for owners of privately purchased e-scooters and e-motorcycles and modified e-bikes to ride them anywhere on public land. It should go without saying that this includes pavements and busy roads which is dangerous for the rider, pedestrians and other road users.
“These are considered as powered light vehicles, but there is no way to provide insurance for them and nor are there the sort of mandatory safety checks like the MOT in place that every other vehicle requires. They can be very dangerous if ridden irresponsibly, and especially so in the hands of children.”
Police advice is that everyone needs to be aware of current legislation before buying an e-scooter or e-motorcycle, or modifying an e-bike. This is clearly laid out in government guidance, but in short you cannot ride a privately owned e-scooter or e-motorcycle or modified e-bike anywhere other than on private land with the landowner’s permission.
The rules on e-scooters: Riding an electric scooter: the rules - GOV.UK
The rules on e-bikes: Riding an electric bike: the rules - GOV.UK
Plymouth police’s response to the risks posed by illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters, modified e-bikes and e-motorcycles is being led by the Neighbourhood support team and will use various tactics such as plain clothes operations, drones, intelligence led operations and CCTV. Illegal use will result in the items being seized and crushed and prosecution for offences.
The government has licensed local authorities to run trials of rental e-scooters with a view to enabling greener and more convenient urban transport and to enshrine safety rules and regulations. One such trial is taking part in Plymouth. The key difference between rented e-scooters and privately owned ones is the focus on the safety and responsibility of the rider who must have a full or provisional license. Third party insurance is provided by the hiring company. Riders must also be aged 18 or over. The rented e-scooters can use the public highway and bicycle lanes but not the pavement, and in all cases wearing a helmet is strongly recommended.
There is a video on the Vision Zero South West website which clearly lays out what is legal and what is not about buying an e-scooter for private use, and why e-scooter rental trials are different to private ownership.
E-scooters & Electric Bikes | What is legal when using an E-Scooter or E-Bike
Plymouth City Council is running a campaign around the city to promote safe and legal riding, which is fully supported by Devon & Cornwall Police and Vision Zero South West.
Pictured: Illegal modified e-bikes and illegally ridden e-scooters and e-motorcycles confiscated by Plymouth Police
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