As we head into the spring months and more and more of us spend time outside, I’d like to take this opportunity to talk to you about E-scooters and the risks they pose if used irresponsibly and illegally. Since coming into office in 2021, I have been working to raise awareness of the dangers through my weekly newsletters, meeting with Beryl, who run e-scooter rental schemes and across my social media accounts.

The current law states that privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. It is illegal to use them on public roads, on pavements, in cycle lanes and in pedestrian-only areas. Since 2020, trial e-scooter rental schemes have been underway in various areas across the country including the Beryl scheme in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

I have many concerns over the use of illegal e-scooters in Dorset and I take issue with the irresponsible retailers who sell these items, they are quite simply misleading the public. I often hear from residents’ stories of e-scooters causing accidents, being ridden dangerously or being used in acts of anti-social behaviour.

I am pleased to see that the government are taking steps to control safety issues around illegal privately owned e-scooters by working with the National Fire Chiefs Council to produce guidance that will hopefully help combat recent issues with the fire safety of certain devices. However, I believe more needs to be done about how these machines are used and controlled on public roads - for example, I would like to see properly visible, moped-sized ‘registration’ plates on the Beryl scooters.

I do believe that e-scooters have the potential to be a transformative form of personal transport – if used correctly, and within the law. However, there are too many people who use e-scooters in an irresponsible and dangerous manner. I have previously met with Beryl and was reassured that they manage the scheme professionally, and anyone found to be breaking their rules can and should be reported to them by calling 020 3003 5044).

When it comes to enforcement, an e-scooter is classed as a powered transporter, and they are treated as a motor vehicle and fall under the Road Traffic Act 1988. They are subject to the same legal requirements as motor vehicles. This includes mot, tax, licensing, insurance, and specific construction regulations. Dorset police take an education and seizure stance on e-scooters and I’d like to make it very clear that the force will act and seize e-scooters being used illegally. In the last 12 months, Dorset Police have seized 59 privately owned e-scooters.

Put simply - you cannot buy and use an e-scooter on any public land and that includes roads, pavements, pathways, or walkways – so unless you personally own great swathes of land in Dorset you cannot ride these machines legally. My advice is don’t buy an e-scooter unless you want it to be seized by the Police. It’s as simple as that.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner