Image at right: not a common sight, but some older people are taking to e-scooters as a more convenient and faster alternative to the traditional four or three-wheeled mobility machine.
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Background information
The information below has been abridged from a Wikipedia entry titled 'Motorized scooter.' The full text can be accessed by clicking here . . .
A motorised scooter is a stand-up scooter powered by either a small utility internal combustion engine or a small electric hub motor in its front and/or rear wheel. Classified as a form of micromobility, they are generally designed with a large centre deck on which the rider stands.
Electric kick scooters have surpassed internal combustion-engined scooters in popularity since 2000. They usually have two wheels 20-28 cm in diameter, one or both of which are fitted with an electric motor, connected by a platform on which the rider stands, with a handlebar for support and steering. Range and speed vary considerably according to model. One reference shows ranges of 3 to 220 km, and maximum speeds from 19 to 120 km/h.
In 2017, some bicycle-sharing companies such as Lime, and some scooter-only companies such as Bird, began offering dockless electric kick scooter sharing services. This segment of the micro-mobility market made large inroads in 2018, with numerous dockless e-scooters appearing in major cities worldwide.
Regulation of e-scooters in different jurisdictions
Austria
Electric vehicles with a power up to 600 watts and a speed up to 25 km/h are considered as bicycles.
Belgium
Belgium's traffic rules were updated on 1 June 2019 to be in line with the European Commission guidelines formed in 2016. It became legal for people over 15 years of age to ride electric motorised scooters with speed limited to 25 km/h on public roads, mirroring e-bikes. Protective gear and insurance are not required by law.
Canada
Commuting in Canada with an e-scooter is becoming increasingly popular for those who are looking for a convenient way to get around. As power-assisted bicycles, e-scooters must follow many of the same federal laws and regulations, such as being limited to 32 km/h and not being allowed over 500 W output. Ontario has recently unveiled a series of laws aimed at ensuring safety while using electric-kick scooters or, e-scooters. The new laws require all riders to carry a valid driver's license, and those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who also carries a valid driver's license. Riders are now also required to wear an approved helmet when operating their e-scooter and have bright lights installed on the front and back of their vehicles.
France
Currently France only allows e-scooters on footpaths if they have a maximum speed of 6 kilometres per hour (3.7 mph). Those travelling at up to 25 km/h are relegated to bike lanes. Legislators are considering a new law that would force users of e-scooters going faster than 25 kilometres per hour (16 mph) to have a type A1 license-the same as for small motorcycles. The legal framework is very blurry and does not define where e-scooters may or may not be driven or parked. The Deputy Mayor of Paris Christophe Najdovski is lobbying Transport Minister Élisabeth Borne for a clearer framework that would give municipalities the power to tighten the rules on how permits are issued and how authorizations are given to deploy a fleet of e-scooters to operators.
French daily newspaper Le Parisien found that in 2017, e-scooters and roller skates combined caused 284 injuries and five deaths in France, a 23 percent increase on the previous year. The perception of e-scooters is that they are fast, silent and therefore dangerous, causing many accidents, and the need to legislate is urgent.
Ireland
The use of e-scooters and mono-wheels has exploded in Irish urban areas in recent years, with estimated more than 2,000 e-scooters regularly traveling the roads of Dublin.
Under existing road traffic legislation, the use of an e-scooter on public roads is not permitted. According to the Road Traffic Act 1961, all e-scooters are considered to be 'mechanically propelled vehicles.' Anyone using a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place must have insurance, road tax, and a driving license. However, it is currently not possible to tax or insure e-scooters or electric skateboards.
In February 2021 Communications Minister Eamon Ryan approved draft legislation which will 'regularise' e-scooters and electric bikes as commonly accepted means of transport under proposed new vehicle category, to be known as 'Powered Personal Transporters' (PPTs), which will not require road tax, insurance or driving license.
Netherlands
The use of e-scooters remains illegal after a fatal electric cart incident in 2018.
New Zealand
E-scooters in New Zealand are classed as a 'Low-powered vehicle that does not require registration', provided that the output power is under 300 watts. They can therefore be ridden on footpaths, roads, and separated cycleways. They cannot be ridden on paint-defined cycleways on the road. Helmets are not required but recommended.
United Kingdom
Privately owned e-scooters are deemed to be Personal Light Electric Vehicles, subject to legal requirements regarding MOT testing, tax, and licensing. In practice they cannot be made to meet the requirements for road use, and they also may not be used on footways.
In some trial areas from mid-2020 to November 2022, rental e-scooters may be ridden on roads and cycle lanes but not footways; riders must be 16 or over and have a driving licence. Using a phone, driving under the influence of alcohol, and other risks, are not allowed, as for other motor vehicles.
United States
Rules in the United States vary by state. Motorized scooters are often not street legal, as they cannot be tagged, titled, insured, and do not meet federal requirements for lights or mirrors. Particular localities may have further ordinances that limit the use of motorized scooters. The top speed of the average motorized scooter is around 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). Due to their small wheels, motorized scooters are not typically safe for street use as even the smallest bumps can cause an accident.
California, for example, requires that a person riding a motorized scooter on a street be 16 years of age or older, have a valid driver's license, be wearing a bicycle helmet, have no passengers, and otherwise follow the same rules of the road the same as cars do. The motorized scooter must have brakes, may not have handlebars raised above the operator's shoulders, and if ridden at night must have a headlight, a taillight, and side reflectors. A motorized scooter may not be operated on sidewalks or on streets if the posted speed limit is over 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) unless in a Class II bicycle lane.
E-scooter regulation in some Australian states and territories
The information below has been taken from an article written by Rebecca MacFarlane titled 'Are E-Scooters Legal in Australia? Understanding E-Scooter Laws in Your Area.' The article was published by Insider Guides: International Student Resources on November 15, 2022. The full text can be accessed by clicking here . . .
Australian Capital Territory
It is legal to ride both commercial and privately owned e-scooters, provided you abide by all the relevant laws.
Riders must always give way to pedestrians. One rider at a time per e-scooter. You must not ride on roads or in on-road bike lanes, except on residential streets where there is no footpath.
You must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating an e-scooter. Helmets are required.
New South Wales
In NSW, only shared e-scooters hired through approved e-scooter providers can be ridden on roads or related areas, such as shared paths. Privately owned e-scooters are not permitted on NSW roads or related areas.
In general, you must be at least 16 years of age to ride; however, some providers have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. E-scooters in NSW must only be ridden on roads, shared paths and related areas with a speed limit of up to 50km/h. When riding on a road, bike lane or bike path, you must stay under 20km/h. When riding on a shared path, you must stay below 10km/h. Your blood alcohol content (BAC) level must be 0.05 or less when operating an e-scooter.
Northern Territory
Private e-scooters are prohibited for use in public areas; you can only operate commercial e-scooters provided by Neuron Mobility.
You must be at least 18 years of age. You must not exceed a speed of 15km/h. Helmets are required. Keep to the left and give way to pedestrians.
Queensland
It is legal to ride personal mobility devices (including privately owned e-scooters) in public if they meet certain criteria. For example, your personal mobility device must be designed for use by only one person at a time, be a maximum of 60kg (when not carrying a person) and have one or more wheels.
You must keep left and give way to pedestrians. You must be at least 16 years old. Stay below the maximum speeds for each area: footpaths and shared paths (12km/h max); separated paths and bike paths (25km/h max); bike lanes and roads with speed limits of 50km/h or less (25km/h).
South Australia
Motorised wheeled recreational devices are prohibited in public areas; in approved e-scooter trial areas, you can rent commercial e-scooters through providers like Beam and Neuron. Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private property.
You must be a minimum of 18 years old to ride. You are required to wear an approved helmet. You cannot ride in bike lanes or bus lanes. Riders cannot use a mobile phone or other mobile devices when operating e-scooters.
Tasmania
E-scooters that meet the criteria of personal mobility devices (PMDs) can be used in public spaces such as footpaths, shared paths, bike paths and local roads with speed limits of 50km/h or less. Many types of privately owned e-scooters don't meet the relevant requirements and therefore can only be used on private property.
PMDs (including e-scooters) can only be used at night if it has a white light visible from the front, a red light that is visible from the rear and a red reflector visible from the rear. You must not use a mobile phone while operating an e-scooter. You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when operating e-scooters.
Victoria
You are not allowed to ride privately owned electric scooters in public; you are only permitted to ride commercial e-scooters in certain areas. You must not ride e-scooters on footpaths. You must be a minimum of 18 years old. You must not carry passengers (one person per scooter). Wear a bike helmet. Your BAC level must be 0.05 or less when operating an e-scooter.
Western Australia
Privately owned e-scooters (known as eRideables) can legally be used in public. The e-scooter laws in WA changed in December 2021; previously, you could only use these devices on private property.
Only one person per device. You must wear a helmet at all times when operating eRideables. You must be at least 16 years old. You must not exceed 10km/h on footpaths or 25km/h on bike paths, shared paths, or local roads. You cannot operate them on roads with speed limits over 50km/h.