Police seize scooter ‘speeding’ through Hull city centre
RESIDENTS CALL FOR MORE TO BE DONE TO TACKLE PROBLEM
HUMBERSIDE Police sparked a lively online debate after seizing a scooter seen “travelling at speed” through Hull city centre.
The force posted an image on social media of a small petrol scooter that had been seized when it was spotted being ridden through the city centre. Officers said the rider had been reported for “numerous traffic offences”.
The post on Facebook led to calls for more to be done to combat dangerous of antisocial use of scooters and similar devices. Responding to the police’s post, one person commented: “Excellent work. Please find a way to inform all adults in Hull that cycling on the majority of our pavements is illegal.”
Another user said: “What about the electric ones doing at least 30mph everywhere? Footpaths, roads, they do what they like, totally unchallenged.” A third added: “Good, get all the illegal e-bikes off the streets and roads.”
Other views were more sympathetic towards scooter owners. One person commented: “Need to chase down and tackle the real crime [that’s] going on in the city centre.” However, another replied: “Real crime? This is a crime and could cause injury or death.”
Some users named locations where scooters were regularly seen being ridden at speed, sometimes on the pavement. One said: “Get to Clough Road bout 6.15am – another few hundred to catch.”
In recent months, authorities have faced growing calls for more to be done to tackle nuisance riding. Petrol scooters are regulated under the law, while currently it is illegal to ride e-scooters in public places, except in areas conducting controlled trials of their use.
The issue was raised at a meeting of Hull City Council in November last year. Councillors discussed the problem of adults riding bicycles and e-scooters on pavements. They heard that a Hull woman had been left with a broken arm after an incident with a bike on a footpath.
Following the debate, a senior officer from Humberside Police said appropriate action would be taken against illegal riding, but added that the force preferred to take an educational approach to prevent further offending. Meanwhile, a poll of readers of Hull Live found the vast majority were in favour either of regulating e-scooters or banning them.
To be road legal, any mechanically propelled vehicle, including petrol or electric scooters, is subject to all the same requirements as any other motor vehicle, such as cars or motorcycles.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, the likes of e-scooters, mini motos, Segways and hoverboards – known as powered transporters – cannot be used on the road unless they are taxed (if required), registered with the DVLA, insured, and being used by a driver who has a valid licence.
However, many scooters could never be road legal as their designs do not meet current road safety standards. It is also an offence to use these vehicles on pavements and footpaths under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 and section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as well as on council land, such as parks, unless an area is specifically designated for them. The only exceptions are mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Section 21(1) and section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 also forbids them from use in cycle lanes, bridleways and restricted byways.
Electric pedal cycles are an exception to the “mechanically-propelled” rule as they come under a different legal framework and can be used on the road as long as they meet certain requirements and are not used by anyone aged under 14. E-scooters are permitted for use in some parts of the UK where rental scooters are allowed on public roads and in cycle lanes, if the user has a full or provisional driving licence.
Penalties for illegal use of powered transporters can include fines and penalty points, to disqualification from driving. When drink or drugs are also involved, they can also include imprisonment.