E Scooter implications for Cyclists

[Phil Fouracre]

Don’t know about ‘speed restrictions’ - they’re simply illegal on the road!

[Bmblbzzz]

Because they're illegal on the road, it's easy and legal to sell them without speed restrictions. Just be sure to tell the customer that "it's for use on private land".

[RickH]

I suspect what will actually happen is that the existing change to the law that classes e-scooters as the same a e-bikes (with the odd minor difference - currently they are, I think, allowed to have a 300W motor rather than the 250W for bikes). Then the obviously illegal ones can be dealt with, as much as there is or isn't the will to do so by the authorities.

It wouldn't surprise me if it happens this year.

[gcogger]

I suspect what will actually happen is that the existing change to the law that classes e-scooters as the same a e-bikes (with the odd minor difference - currently they are, I think, allowed to have a 300W motor rather than the 250W for bikes). Then the obviously illegal ones can be dealt with, as much as there is or isn't the will to do so by the authorities.

It wouldn't surprise me if it happens this year.

A key difference is that an e-bike cannot have a throttle, but e-scooters do have them. I think that puts the 2 in very different categories (it makes an e-scooter more like an e-moped than an e-bike). Of course, what I think doesn't really affect what will actually happen!

[hemo]

escooters can't be classed the same as pedelecs as already been mentioned, there is no human propulsion to them.

[simonhill]

escooters can't be classed the same as pedelecs as already been mentioned, there is no human propulsion to them.

Can't you scoot them like a non-e scooter, should you so wish?

[Bmblbzzz]

You have to scoot them thus to start off (at least with the Voi hire ones).

[Bmblbzzz]

I suspect what will actually happen is that the existing change to the law that classes e-scooters as the same a e-bikes (with the odd minor difference - currently they are, I think, allowed to have a 300W motor rather than the 250W for bikes). Then the obviously illegal ones can be dealt with, as much as there is or isn't the will to do so by the authorities.

It wouldn't surprise me if it happens this year.

I wouldn't be surprised either. It would be a reasonable, pragmatic solution IMO.

[hemo]

The motors are small Direct Drive hubs, scooting them with power applied to get going is one thing but trying to do so without power is near impossible as the internal motor has no gear reduction to allow freewheeling.
They simply can't be pedalled or ridden unpowered like most pedelecs, even some pedelecs are hard work to cycle unpowered and the 1kw illegal ones all but impossible with the non geared D/D hubs.

[Cowsham]

I'm getting a strong urge to purchase an e scooter with all this escooteryness.