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Liverpool City Council has reminded all e-scooter owners and users to adhere strictly to the existing legal requirements when riding. This appeal comes amid growing popularity of e-scooters as gifts, especially during the Christmas season, and ongoing community concerns about underage usage and associated anti-social behaviour. The Council emphasizes the importance of riders being fully aware of and compliant with the relevant laws.
According to official guidance, privately owned e-scooters are only allowed on private property with the landowner’s explicit permission; their use on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes, or parks is prohibited. Since e-scooters fall under the category of motor vehicles as defined by the Road Traffic Act, they must be insured, taxed, and registered, conditions not currently applicable or available to private e-scooter owners. Only those e-scooters provided through government-authorized rental trials are permitted on public roads and cycle lanes, but even these cannot be ridden on pavements or motorways.
Liverpool participates in one of the limited government trial schemes in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Riders must be at least 16 years old, hold a minimum of a provisional driving licence, and insurance is supplied by the rental operator. There is no legal obligation for displaying L plates for those without a full licence. Additionally, rental scooters must be parked considerately, ensuring they do not impede access for visually impaired or mobility-restricted pedestrians. All e-scooters in the scheme are restricted to a maximum speed of 15.5 mph for safety reasons. Starting February, Bolt will take over from Voi as the provider of e-scooters and e-bikes across Liverpool; users must be 18 or older and register with Bolt before renting.
Illegal operation of e-scooters carries penalties including fines up to £300, six penalty points on a licence, and seizure of the vehicle by police. More serious offences, such as riding under the influence or without insurance, could lead to further legal action. Both law enforcement and transport authorities are actively monitoring compliance to enhance public safety. The government is also exploring the introduction of a new vehicle category for e-scooters to eventually allow private ownership under defined safety and licensing rules, including standards for speed limits, lighting, brakes, insurance, and registration. It is worth noting that cyclists are reminded that cycling on pavements breaches the Highway Code and endangers pedestrians.
Councillor Dan Barrington, the Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, remarked: “E-scooters are a fantastic active travel option when travelling across the city. They’re a great way to avoid congestion and get to where you need to be quickly. However, people must follow the law when it comes to using e-scooters and should only be using rentals offered by local authorities when riding on public roads. The rules are in place to keep everyone on the roads safe, whether they’re walking, wheeling, or driving.” Similarly, Inspector Carl McNulty of the Merseyside Roads Policing Unit said: “We recognise that e scooters can offer a convenient and sustainable way to travel, and we welcome their continued use where they are operated lawfully and responsibly. However, it is important that people understand their responsibilities. Only government approved rental e scooters can be used on public roads and cycle lanes, and these must be ridden in accordance with road traffic legislation. The use of privately owned e scooters in public spaces remains illegal, and enforcement action will continue where these are used unlawfully. We are also clear that anti-social use of e scooters – including dangerous riding or riding in pedestrian areas – will not be tolerated.”
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