From food couriers weaving through traffic to teenagers zipping past on high streets, electric bikes and scooters have become a familiar sight in daily life. The surge in use of these powered transporters has transformed the way people travel, particularly in London, where car ownership remains relatively low compared to the rest of the UK. Their popularity has grown rapidly, offering a quick and eco-friendly alternative to cars and public transport, especially for short journeys.
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Despite their widespread use, it remains illegal across the UK to ride privately owned e-scooters or e-bikes on public roads, pavements, or parks—unless they are part of one of 19 government-approved rental trials running in various local authorities. Privately owned devices can only be legally ridden on private property with the owner’s consent. Crucially, these scooters cannot be insured for road use, meaning that operating them on public land could lead to confiscation under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Transport for London (TfL) allows folded cycles, including folded e-bikes, on most services at any time. However, electric scooters—regardless of whether they are folded—are strictly prohibited on all TfL Tube and bus services, due to safety concerns. While drivers may allow folded bikes on buses if space permits, exceptions such as the Thames cable car do not permit e-bikes at all.
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For those caught flouting the rules, the penalties can be significant. Offences include riding without insurance or a licence, using a mobile phone while riding, or failing to stop at red lights. Fixed penalty notices vary by region: in some areas, offenders face £300 fines and six points on their driving licence for insurance breaches, while using a phone while riding could result in a £200 fine. Although Devon and Cornwall police avoid issuing fines, they still enforce other penalties for unauthorised use in public spaces.
