3 ms·

They are, strictly speaking, illegal in the UK, except for limited pilot schemes. And yes, widely used. They are too beefy to count as a bicycle (like, no pedal

They are, strictly speaking, illegal in the UK, except for limited pilot schemes. And yes, widely used. They are too beefy to count as a bicycle (like, no pedals etc) but don't meet more stringent criteria for a motorbike (like indicators, side mirrors etc). I'm less sure, but think they are also illegal in the EU, on the same premise.

Gigachad 4y ago
Illegal in most of Australia but the laws are being reviewed in most states. We have had rental scooters as a “trial” since 2019 which has been very successful, but owning one yourself is still an illegal unregistered vehicle. They are actually less powerful than e-bikes. E-bikes being allowed up to 25km/h while the rental ones are limited to 15km/h
- stephen_g 4y ago
  They’re not illegal in Queensland (although there are quite ridiculously extreme and nonsensical penalties - for example the fine for using a mobile phone while riding a 15 kg scooter is exactly the same (over $1000!) as for somebody doing that while driving a multi-tonne vehicle that could flatten multiple pedestrians and kill multiple passengers at once in an accident)… Not that they shouldn’t have fines, it’s just the consequences to others for accidents in cars and trucks are hugely different and the fine should reflect that. Anyway, luckily I don’t care to do that , and the rule I do tend to break (going over 12 km/h on a pedestrian footpath) is almost unenforceable (I only do it if it’s completely clear, I slow right down if there are people within a few tens of meters ahead). You can go 25 km/h on bikeways and roads, but you aren’t allowed to ride on 60 km/h or up roads. Even with the crazy laws, it’s still a great way to get around and far better to have some silly rules than it being completely banned!

3 ms·

They are, strictly speaking, illegal in the UK, except for limited pilot schemes. And yes, widely used. They are too beefy to count as a bicycle (like, no pedal

by rich_sasha 4y ago

Gigachad 4y ago
Illegal in most of Australia but the laws are being reviewed in most states. We have had rental scooters as a “trial” since 2019 which has been very successful, but owning one yourself is still an illegal unregistered vehicle. They are actually less powerful than e-bikes. E-bikes being allowed up to 25km/h while the rental ones are limited to 15km/h
- stephen_g 4y ago
  They’re not illegal in Queensland (although there are quite ridiculously extreme and nonsensical penalties - for example the fine for using a mobile phone while riding a 15 kg scooter is exactly the same (over $1000!) as for somebody doing that while driving a multi-tonne vehicle that could flatten multiple pedestrians and kill multiple passengers at once in an accident)… Not that they shouldn’t have fines, it’s just the consequences to others for accidents in cars and trucks are hugely different and the fine should reflect that. Anyway, luckily I don’t care to do that , and the rule I do tend to break (going over 12 km/h on a pedestrian footpath) is almost unenforceable (I only do it if it’s completely clear, I slow right down if there are people within a few tens of meters ahead). You can go 25 km/h on bikeways and roads, but you aren’t allowed to ride on 60 km/h or up roads. Even with the crazy laws, it’s still a great way to get around and far better to have some silly rules than it being completely banned!