POLICE across West Mercia are clamping down on the illegal use of e-scooters and e-bikes this summer.
The force says anyone illegally using the vehicles can expect to be stopped by an officer if spotted riding one.
While it is not illegal to buy an e-scooter, they are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes and pedestrian-only areas unless part of a legal e-scooter loan scheme.
There are no legal schemes in place in the counties covered by West Mercia Police so e-scooters can only be ridden on private land with the permission of the landowner.
E-scooters are currently classed as Personal Light Electric Vehicles and so require insurance, tax, MoT, licence and registration.
For e-bikes, the law states that you can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, so long as it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC).
To be legally used on our roads, an e-bike must have: Pedals that must be in motion for the motor assistance to be provided, the motor used must be of no more than 250 Watts (maximum continuous rated power), electric assistance can only be provided to a maximum of 15.5mph and the rider must be 14 years of age or over.
