Electric scooters.

[Stephenite]

Ours have number plates, so they are theoretically teaceable and insured.

Over here you need liability insurance but not a licence plate/sticker.

The speed limit is 20km/h +/- 10% - which is an irritation as, prior to the tightening up of the law in January this year, the 'legal' e-scooters were sold with a speed limit of 25km/h. It is possible to flash the BIOS though, updating the software to the 20k limit. This is accepted by insurance companies it seems (and it certainly doesn't contradict the wording in the policy documents) but AFAIK not tested in court.

After the introduction of the new laws in January there are now reckoned to be thousands of e-scooters gathering dust in the sheds and garages of normal folk.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Over here you need liability insurance but not a licence plate/sticker.

The speed limit is 20km/h +/- 10% - which is an irritation as, prior to the tightening up of the law in January this year, the 'legal' e-scooters were sold with a speed limit of 25km/h. It is possible to flash the BIOS though, updating the software to the 20k limit. This is accepted by insurance companies it seems (and it certainly doesn't contradict the wording in the policy documents) but AFAIK not tested in court.

After the introduction of the new laws in January there are now reckoned to be thousands of e-scooters gathering dust in the sheds and garages of normal folk.

The insurance here looks the same as for the German 'Mofa'; you have to buy a plate and fill in a form, pay a fee and then you are insured until the end of the year; no insurance; no numberplate. The colour changes each year so it's obvious if someone is riding on out of date insurance.

 

[captain nemo1701]

In the middle of Wimbledon today.
At this (Digonal-Crossing) junction.
While all traffic lights were RED and all pedestrian lights were green.

A scooterist (non-rental), in black, no helmet or any other protective clothing, coming from the open road ahead at (I estimate) 20+ MPH blasted through, while all 4-way cars were stopped, and crossings, including the diagonal, were occupied by pedestrians.
He came down on the inside of the stopped cars and, mid junction, switched to the outside.

How he failed to hit someone is a miracle.


View attachment 698785

Yep, normal now here in Bristol. A favourite trick is to hop onto the pavement to get around a red light and then just carry on your way....Much more fun if there's two of you on it....

 

[Deleted member 26715]

And another one, why do parents allow 12 year olds to use them?

Because they’re idiots?

Also they are out of their sight so they don't care, young lad up the road has one, Dad was happily going up & down the road on it.