e-scooters

[CrippsCorner]

Anyone on here got one? Seem to be everywhere now, but... still illegal?

I mean these look decent:

Electric Scooters | E-Scooters | Halfords UK

Shop our range of electric scooters. Upgrade to one of our fun-filled e-scooters Including top brands such as Xiaomi, Micro & Razor.

www.halfords.com

I'm moving closer to work soon. 40 minute walk... me and the missus will probably go down to 1 car as she's even closer. Was thinking one of these would suit me chipping off to work in the early hours.

What's the deal with being illegal on the roads and pavement though? I see probably 5 people on them a day now. I believe they're now legal in the US?

 

[JonnyK]

if you scroll down on the halfords link you posted it states

Please note that this scooter is not to be used on public highways, only on private property with the owner's consent.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I want one. Haven't got one yet, people reckon the law will change on them in future and then they'll be taxed and cost a lot more (does make sense to a degree).

I'd want one of them with suspension and small tyres as the hard wheel ones look bone jarringly uncomfortable.

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

To be honest it’s very doubtful that the police would ever stop you on one of these. That’s not to say they couldn’t.

I’ve also been looking at these.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

To be honest it’s very doubtful that the police would ever stop you on one of these. That’s not to say they couldn’t.

I’ve also been looking at these.

I’ve seen people ride like utter pellets on them and wonder whether they’d get stopped by the plod.

I’m sure if you follow the rules of the road and stop for reds, don’t ride on pavements and generally be considerate you’d be really unlucky to get penalised for one.

 

[c4pob]

To be honest it’s very doubtful that the police would ever stop you on one of these. That’s not to say they couldn’t.

I’ve also been looking at these.

Pre-lockdown on my Brompton commute across London I would see about 1 person a month pulled over on an e-scooter. That’s over a 12 month period.

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Pre-lockdown on my Brompton commute across London I would see about 1 person a month pulled over on an e-scooter. That’s over a 12 month period.

That’s surprising because I don’t know anyone who’s prosecuted someone for being on one.

I dont think it’ll be long before the legislation is changed. These are perfect for getting people off of an already packed transport system in London.

 

[Matt W]

They’re all over Europe, hired one in Berlin and was a great way of seeing the city.

That exact model you’ve linked was £299 in Halfords at the end of last year. I very nearly bought one until I saw a guy in Newport commuting on one every day in the sun, looked great fun until I then saw him pushing it one day with a flat tyre in the rain 😂

 

[Matt W]

Have a look here for a wider range

www.pureelectric.com

 

[Andy_con]

People in London have/do get fined for using one since that bird got killed using one in central London.

Personly I'd be very weary about spending lots of money and then getting told off by the boys in blue and not being able to use it.

It's a bit like speeding, all fun until you get caught

 

[leeds2592]

Me and @dann2707 and 2 other mates went to Krakow last year and spent a large majority of our time pissed as farts smashing about on them through the streets. They're bloody good fun and a great way to get about.

2 things to note, the ones we had were absolutely lethal on wet ground as a few of us found out and they're bloody uncomfortable on cobbles and rough ground.

I'd love one to knock about on in England but i'd just have no use for one really.

 

[adamlstr]

I got hit by one of these in Denver, it f**king hurt.

They're a plight, and are now starting to litter our streets.

[/grumpyoldman]

 

[Rich..]

To be honest it’s very doubtful that the police would ever stop you on one of these. That’s not to say they couldn’t.

I’ve also been looking at these.

 

[Rich..]

To be honest it’s very doubtful that the police would ever stop you on one of these. That’s not to say they couldn’t.

I’ve also been looking at these.

Apparently they trialled segways in Sutton some years ago

 

[Rich..]

Just seen this on BBC news

Rental e-scooters to be made legal on roads in Great Britain from Saturday

Hired, but not private, e-scooters will be allowed on roads in Great Britain, the government says.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Mavez]

I always wanted to build something to get to work with, using one of those bicycle 36/48v hub motors. But the legality of it put me off.

 

[Andy_con]

Just seen this on BBC news

Rental e-scooters to be made legal on roads in Great Britain from Saturday

Hired, but not private, e-scooters will be allowed on roads in Great Britain, the government says.

www.bbc.co.uk

Just seen this

Only rented scooters, not private ones. Odd

 

[Stay Puft]

It is confusing.. as they are illegal, but some areas are trialling them which seems a bit hypocritical. My local area try to engage and educate first, and a few have been seized it they are riding dangerously, flying down pavements etc.

 

[Rich..]

I always wanted to build something to get to work with, using one of those bicycle 36/48v hub motors. But the legality of it put me off.

As long as it doesn’t have a throttle, pedal assist, and is limited to 15.5mph it’s legal.

 

[Rich..]

As long as it doesn’t have a throttle, pedal assist, and is limited to 15.5mph it’s legal.

That’s the assistance limited to 15.5mph not the bike.

 

[Rich..]

Just seen this

Only rented scooters, not private ones. Odd

Just make the scooter look the same as the rented ones.

 

[Rich..]

I always wanted to build something to get to work with, using one of those bicycle 36/48v hub motors. But the legality of it put me off.

This is probably the easiest way to do it

Universal eBike Conversion Kit - Swytchbike

www.swytchbike.com

 

[dann2707]

Me and @dann2707 and 2 other mates went to Krakow last year and spent a large majority of our time pissed as farts smashing about on them through the streets. They're bloody good fun and a great way to get about.

2 things to note, the ones we had were absolutely lethal on wet ground as a few of us found out and they're bloody uncomfortable on cobbles and rough ground.

I'd love one to knock about on in England but i'd just have no use for one really.

Hahaha still got the mental scars from those.

In Poland they clean the streets from 11 to midnight which just happened to be the prime time for us lot to be several pints down and feeling invisible on them 😂😂😂😂

You're right though as soon as there's a bit of water it's not even a gradual wash out it is literally bang and you're gone 😂 proper pissing myself at how fun they were though, just tearing around Kraków dodging people whilst giggling like mad

They are addictive as hell

 

[CrippsCorner]

That's interesting about the hire ones. How are they actually going to know? Unless they're bright pink or something. They're not going to stop everyone on one to see if they're hired or not... I leave at 07:00 and barely see another car on the way to work sometimes so probably alright on the way there, but not so good on the way back lol. Are you legally allowed to use one of these with the motor turned off I wonder? Lot of money to spend just to see what happens. Unlikely to need one for 6 months yet anyway so I guess I'll just keep an eye on things.

 

[Andy_con]

So you can use a private ebike at any speed you want, but not an e-scooter. Very strange law /thinking

 

[McGherkin]

So you can use a private ebike at any speed you want, but not an e-scooter. Very strange law /thinking

This:

As long as it doesn’t have a throttle, pedal assist, and is limited to 15.5mph it’s legal.

Applies to e-bikes, unless of course you SVA it as a motorbike.

As for scooters.... such a corrupt move today.
Private ones that people will look after (since they own it!)= illegal.
Rental ones that get dumped all over the streets everywhere = legal.

 

[Rich..]

This:

Applies to e-bikes, unless of course you SVA it as a motorbike.

As for scooters.... such a corrupt move today.
Private ones that people will look after (since they own it!)= illegal.
Rental ones that get dumped all over the streets everywhere = legal.

Private ones = don't generate income for the gov
Rental ones = do generate income for the gov

 

[Hollidog]

I have the Xiaomi you linked, I think they're great. I live in central London and ride mine quite often to the shops or to mates places and never gotten so much as a sideways glance from the plod. When we were able to actually go to the office it turned my half hour walk to a ten minute scoot.

Upsides:
Fun! Genuinely
Does skids when provoked
They seem to be pretty bomb-proof, mine has got dings and scrapes on the standing bit and will happily splash through puddles. Wet grip seems decent
Probably 3 times quicker than walking
Don't get hot and bothered as opposed to cycling
Can take them into buildings with you vs bike which you have to lock outside
Mileage claims are accurate but some compromise, see below
Low maintenance, owned mine about 8 months and all I've done is wash it, charge it, pump the tyres, and adjust the brakes - which are very good.

Downsides:
Currently illegal, but as mentioned, don't be a plonker and you shouldn't have any trouble
Could do with being about 3-5 mph faster, currently it's annoying if you're in a narrower roads holding up traffic, on a bike you can always pedal faster, would be nice to be able to do 20 mph
As soon as they go below 75% charge they drop about 2-3 mph in top speed, 50% another few mph, 25% or less and you may as well be walking
Rough roads aren't that bad, no worse than being on a bike and having your nads hammered by a seat, but cobbles are definitely a challenge
You look a bit of a tit

The recent legalisation of rentals does strike me as odd, though I understand it is initially for a trial. Some of the largest companies in the world have stakes in these rental firms so not surprising to see the govt kowtowing to them. I think eventually they will become legal, especially considering the recent discouragement of public transport and the move towards electric mobility.

 

[CrippsCorner]

Thanks for the info, very useful! We might be going down to 1 family car soon, so after I sell my 2 I'll have some spare cash to get myself some toys anyway

Worst comes to the worst I'm moving from a flat without a garden, to a house with 80' garden so I'll just do speed trials up and down to celebrate my new found freedom lol.

 

[Rich..]

Thanks for the info, very useful! We might be going down to 1 family car soon, so after I sell my 2 I'll have some spare cash to get myself some toys anyway

Worst comes to the worst I'm moving from a flat without a garden, to a house with 80' garden so I'll just do speed trials up and down to celebrate my new found freedom lol.

How about an electric skateboard? Looks like a normal skateboard so probably wouldn’t get stopped on it, and does up to 25mph! I had a lithium battery/brushless motor skateboard years ago when they first came out, mine did 20mph, doesn’t sound that fast but it was proper scary fun going 20mph on a skateboard.

Shark Electric THIN with Black Wheels (11 mile range, in stock - 12 month payment plan available).

Shark Wheel is a skateboard wheel company that specializes in a new type of wheel that is faster, smoother, longer lasting and is all superior on all terrain

sharkwheel.com

 

[Chili Red]

I realllllllly want one of these!

Some of them seem very expensive for what they are though.

I'd love one to zoom to work on when the weather's nice, I reckon it would only take me about ten minutes and most of the way I could nip through housing estates and wide pathways.

I've been looking at this one but it's a bit slow:

HOMCOM E-Scooter Kick Ride On Toy Folding Adjustable Big Solid Wheels | AOSOM UK

Zip around in style with this sleek electric scooter from HOMCOM

www.aosom.co.uk

 

[Pistachio]

Just watch out for fire hoses

 

[LawrenceR]

My pennys worth.... you look like a tit riding them.....they are all over Europe and my brain still can't compute an adult riding around on essentially a kids toy!

On a serious note, consider a helmet also, adds to the tit factor, but safety first kids.....I was on one of the rented ones in Athens last year, a few beers in and I smashed myself up good and proper. Salmoned along the gravelly pavement on my face and hands....chipped a tooth, cut open my lip, hands and one side of my face.....they are lethal. Also pretty quiet, so pedestrians will walk out on you and you'll have to avoid them!

Still, made for a good story.....oh, and earache from the misses about growing up and being more sensible!! 🙄

 

[McGherkin]

I want one like this....


Over 40mph on a scooter seems fun.

 

[Rich..]

I want one like this....


Over 40mph on a scooter seems fun.

I’d rather have one of his bikes, he builds amazing ebikes

 

[McGherkin]

I’d rather have one of his bikes, he builds amazing ebikes

Well, yes. But for my purposes I could get a scooter through the turnstiles at work but not a bike.

 

[Hollidog]

I realllllllly want one of these!

Some of them seem very expensive for what they are though.

I'd love one to zoom to work on when the weather's nice, I reckon it would only take me about ten minutes and most of the way I could nip through housing estates and wide pathways.

I've been looking at this one but it's a bit slow:

HOMCOM E-Scooter Kick Ride On Toy Folding Adjustable Big Solid Wheels | AOSOM UK

Zip around in style with this sleek electric scooter from HOMCOM

www.aosom.co.uk

The Xiaomi will do 15mph and it doesn't feel fast enough, 15kph would feel like a crawl. I've seen the Xiaomi as cheap as £300, I paid £330. My bike was stolen so I bought it to replace that.

My pennys worth.... you look like a tit riding them.....they are all over Europe and my brain still can't compute an adult riding around on essentially a kids toy!

On a serious note, consider a helmet also, adds to the tit factor, but safety first kids.....I was on one of the rented ones in Athens last year, a few beers in and I smashed myself up good and proper. Salmoned along the gravelly pavement on my face and hands....chipped a tooth, cut open my lip, hands and one side of my face.....they are lethal. Also pretty quiet, so pedestrians will walk out on you and you'll have to avoid them!

Still, made for a good story.....oh, and earache from the misses about growing up and being more sensible!! 🙄

I fully accept my tit-ness, but maybe the lesson is skip the beers! I've never come off mine.

 

[Hollidog]

RS Performance Electric Scooter - Renault and Renaultsport parts and fitting by K-Tec Racing

RS Performance Electric Scooter from K-Tec Racing Renault

www.k-tecracing.com

 

[dann2707]

RS Performance Electric Scooter - Renault and Renaultsport parts and fitting by K-Tec Racing

RS Performance Electric Scooter from K-Tec Racing Renault

www.k-tecracing.com

View attachment 1485021

Not bad for £16k

 

[Louis]

The ktec website is so s**t that you have to choose what car you drive everytime you want to look at a product