If you’re into cruising around the streets on those gravity-defying scooters, we’ve got some bad news for you.
The Crown Prosecution Service has released new guidance that forbids the use of self-balancing scooters on UK streets and pavements.
That means you won’t be able to use the Segway-inspired wheeled vehicles – commonly referred to as ‘hoverboards’ – in public anymore.
“Vehicles must be approved via ECWVTA or MSVA in order to be licensed and registered.
It continues: “It is an offence under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 to ride or drive a vehicle on the pavement.”
That’s sure to leave a sour taste in the mouths of wannabe Marty McFly’s across the country who’ve shelled out upwards of £500 on the scooters.
Fortunately, all is not lost; there are still places where you can ride the scooters.
“You can only ride an unregistered self-balancing scooter on land which is private property and with the landowner’s permission,” explains the CPS.
So, you’ll be able to whizz about to your heart’s content in your own garden.
Related: I love commuting with an electric bike, and here’s why
Some of you may be wondering why electric bicycles are given the thumbs-up for UK roads, but electric self-balancing scooters have been shunned.
Here’s what the CPS has to say on that matter:
“Bicycles are covered by different rules to those applying to self-balancing scooters. Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles must meet the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983. Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles that conform to these regulations are considered to be pedal cycles and as such are allowed to use cycle facilities such as cycle lanes on the road and cycle tracks away from the road which other powered vehicles are prohibited from using.”
It adds: “A self-balancing scooter does not meet these requirements as it cannot be pedaled.”
What do you make of this new legal revelation? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
