Tempest
Distinguished Member
Given how the modern world is changing, COP26 coming to a close, and the need to reduce emissions, and excessive usage of many thing.
I thought it might be a good idea to have a single place where News, Laws, Experiences, Updates, Purchases, Viewpoints could be shared with regards to current and upcoming personal methods of transport powered by electricity.
These small electric transport devices seem to be referred to under two similar names:
PEV Personal Electric Vehicle
PET Personal Electric Transport
I may be lucky in that, whilst seeing a very limited amount of them being ridden both on pathways and roads, by people ranging from teenagers to adults, I've only ever seen then being ridden very sensibly at low/medium speeds. I've not myself experienced the dangerous antics others have said they have unfortunately encountered.
I shall admit, as a general personal viewpoint, I am not a fan of banning a whole group of products or pastimes and the reason given is that 'there are a few idiots who abuse whatever it is'
If we went down that route we'd have no car ownership, no motorcycles, no dog ownership and many many others things we consider as normal these days.
No. we put laws/rules into place to set standards we expect people to adhere to and punishments for those who break/abuse the agreed upon rules.
Someone using a device in a manner which does not endanger others or themselves (within reason) should be acceptable I feel. And yes, I am willing to say that I accept some level of risk. That's what we humans to every day. Thousands are hurt/killed whilst using current forms of transport but we accept it.
Some have expressed the opinion that it's not 100% about safety as perhaps the tax man would not be super happy with many short distance commuters using some personal electric transport instead of jumping into their dinosaur burning 2 ton metal box to travel the 4 miles twice a day.
Anyway, it seems to be a heated topic right now, so perhaps we can use this thread to pull news and views into one place?
Personally I feel given the massive amount of these being purchased, other countries legalising them (within certain rules) and the talk about zero emissions and wanting people to drop using cars, not to mention congestion (1 person in a large car) it's only a matter of time before they are legal in the UK also
Finally..... I've managed to find the following about rules in a few other countries.
***********************************************************************************************************
Germany
The maximum speed limit is 20kph
Helmets are compulsory when travelling above 20kph
Insurance and insurance plates are compulsory
Cycle paths must be available for riding an electric scooter on a public road
Engine power is restricted to 500watts
Electric vehicles must be vetted as road worthy
USA, California
Wearing of a helmet is compulsory for certain states.
The maximum speed limit is 15mph in certain states.
Riding in a bike lane is only allowed in streets with speed limit above 25mph
Riding an electric scooter in the street means that you must ride as close to the curb on the right side as possible
Suitable electric scooters for use in USA: EMOVE Cruiser, EMOVE Touring, EMOVE 2.0 and the ORCA Mark I.
UK
In the UK, electric scooters are better known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPC). The laws which govern them include:
An EAPC is required to have a pedal propelling it.
The EAPC must be able to show either the manufacturer of the motor or the power output of the engine.
The EAPC must also be able to show, either the maximum speed of the bike or the voltage of the battery of the bike
The EAPC can only be used on public roads where there are cycle paths, or on streets with bike lanes.
Australia and New Zealand
Children between the age of 12 and 16 can only ride with parental supervision
A license is not required for operating an electric scooter
Unsupervised rides are allowed from aged 16 and above
The maximum speed limit is 25mph
Rides on electric scooters are only allowed on paths
Electric scooter rides are not allowed on public roads or bicycle lanes
Singapore
Riders need to register their electric scooter with the local transportation authority government
Registrants have to be at least 16 years old
Registered electric scooters must be compliant with the device criteria (Device weighs < 20kg | 70cm in maximum width | 25km/hour in maximum motorised device speed)
Requires a registration mark sticker on their electric scooter
$2,000 fine/imprisonment up to 3 months for unregistered electric scooters
UL2272 Standard certification required for all electric scooters used in Singapore.
France
The maximum speed limit of 25kph with a fine if exceeded
Electric scooters cannot be ridden on pavements
Headphones are prohibited while riding
Electric scooters must be road worthy
Riders are legal from the ages of 8 upwards
A helmet is required for riders below the ages of 12
I thought it might be a good idea to have a single place where News, Laws, Experiences, Updates, Purchases, Viewpoints could be shared with regards to current and upcoming personal methods of transport powered by electricity.
These small electric transport devices seem to be referred to under two similar names:
PEV Personal Electric Vehicle
PET Personal Electric Transport
I may be lucky in that, whilst seeing a very limited amount of them being ridden both on pathways and roads, by people ranging from teenagers to adults, I've only ever seen then being ridden very sensibly at low/medium speeds. I've not myself experienced the dangerous antics others have said they have unfortunately encountered.
I shall admit, as a general personal viewpoint, I am not a fan of banning a whole group of products or pastimes and the reason given is that 'there are a few idiots who abuse whatever it is'
If we went down that route we'd have no car ownership, no motorcycles, no dog ownership and many many others things we consider as normal these days.
No. we put laws/rules into place to set standards we expect people to adhere to and punishments for those who break/abuse the agreed upon rules.
Someone using a device in a manner which does not endanger others or themselves (within reason) should be acceptable I feel. And yes, I am willing to say that I accept some level of risk. That's what we humans to every day. Thousands are hurt/killed whilst using current forms of transport but we accept it.
Some have expressed the opinion that it's not 100% about safety as perhaps the tax man would not be super happy with many short distance commuters using some personal electric transport instead of jumping into their dinosaur burning 2 ton metal box to travel the 4 miles twice a day.
Anyway, it seems to be a heated topic right now, so perhaps we can use this thread to pull news and views into one place?
Personally I feel given the massive amount of these being purchased, other countries legalising them (within certain rules) and the talk about zero emissions and wanting people to drop using cars, not to mention congestion (1 person in a large car) it's only a matter of time before they are legal in the UK also
Finally..... I've managed to find the following about rules in a few other countries.
***********************************************************************************************************
Germany
The maximum speed limit is 20kph
Helmets are compulsory when travelling above 20kph
Insurance and insurance plates are compulsory
Cycle paths must be available for riding an electric scooter on a public road
Engine power is restricted to 500watts
Electric vehicles must be vetted as road worthy
USA, California
Wearing of a helmet is compulsory for certain states.
The maximum speed limit is 15mph in certain states.
Riding in a bike lane is only allowed in streets with speed limit above 25mph
Riding an electric scooter in the street means that you must ride as close to the curb on the right side as possible
Suitable electric scooters for use in USA: EMOVE Cruiser, EMOVE Touring, EMOVE 2.0 and the ORCA Mark I.
UK
In the UK, electric scooters are better known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPC). The laws which govern them include:
An EAPC is required to have a pedal propelling it.
The EAPC must be able to show either the manufacturer of the motor or the power output of the engine.
The EAPC must also be able to show, either the maximum speed of the bike or the voltage of the battery of the bike
The EAPC can only be used on public roads where there are cycle paths, or on streets with bike lanes.
Australia and New Zealand
Children between the age of 12 and 16 can only ride with parental supervision
A license is not required for operating an electric scooter
Unsupervised rides are allowed from aged 16 and above
The maximum speed limit is 25mph
Rides on electric scooters are only allowed on paths
Electric scooter rides are not allowed on public roads or bicycle lanes
Singapore
Riders need to register their electric scooter with the local transportation authority government
Registrants have to be at least 16 years old
Registered electric scooters must be compliant with the device criteria (Device weighs < 20kg | 70cm in maximum width | 25km/hour in maximum motorised device speed)
Requires a registration mark sticker on their electric scooter
$2,000 fine/imprisonment up to 3 months for unregistered electric scooters
UL2272 Standard certification required for all electric scooters used in Singapore.
France
The maximum speed limit of 25kph with a fine if exceeded
Electric scooters cannot be ridden on pavements
Headphones are prohibited while riding
Electric scooters must be road worthy
Riders are legal from the ages of 8 upwards
A helmet is required for riders below the ages of 12