Police Issue E-Scooter Warning to Parents in Cumbria
Police have issued a warning to parents in Cumbria after children were seen riding e-scooters on public land and roads.
Cumbria Police reminded families that privately owned e-scooters cannot legally be used in public places. This includes roads, pavements, parks, cycle lanes and shopping areas.
Officers said e-scooters may be an exciting and expensive purchase, but parents need to understand the rules before buying one for a child.
A Cumbria Police spokesperson said privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use in public spaces. Police advice is clear: if there is no private land where a child can ride one with permission, parents should not buy one.
Why Private E-Scooters Are Illegal in Public
E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
This means they are treated more like cars or motorbikes than normal push scooters.
To use one legally on public roads, a rider would need:
- a valid driving licence
- insurance
- to follow road traffic laws
- a road-legal vehicle
The problem is that it is not currently possible to get insurance for a privately owned e-scooter.
Because of this, private e-scooters cannot be legally used on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes or in public parks.
They can only be used on private land, such as a garden or private site, with the landowner’s permission.
Police Can Seize E-Scooters
Police have the power to seize e-scooters being used illegally in public.
Cumbria Police says riders who break the rules could face a fixed penalty notice, seizure of the e-scooter and possible disposal of the vehicle.
Possible penalties can include:
- a £300 fine and six penalty points for having no insurance
- a £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence
- a possible £50 fine for riding on a pavement
- a £200 fine and six penalty points for using a mobile phone while riding
- a £100 fine and possible penalty points for riding through a red light
Riders can also face serious consequences if they use an e-scooter while drunk or under the influence of drugs.
Drink-driving rules can apply in the same way as they would for a car. This could lead to a court fine, a driving ban or even imprisonment.
Parents Warned About Hidden Consequences
The warning is especially important for parents buying e-scooters for children.
A child may not have a driving licence, but illegal use can still lead to the scooter being seized. In some cases, the consequences can also affect future driving entitlement.
For older teenagers and young adults, penalty points can be added to a future or current licence.
This means a short ride on an e-scooter could lead to long-term problems when applying for a driving licence or car insurance.
Parents may also lose hundreds of pounds if a scooter is seized and not returned.
Why E-Scooters Can Be Dangerous
Police warnings are not only about the law. They are also about safety.
E-scooters can move quickly, but riders have little protection if they fall or collide with a vehicle, pedestrian or kerb.
Risks include:
- falls at speed
- collisions with cars, vans or buses
- injuries to pedestrians
- riders losing control on uneven roads
- poor visibility in traffic
- no helmet or protective clothing
- more than one person riding on a single scooter
- young riders not understanding road rules
Riding on pavements can also put pedestrians at risk, especially older people, disabled people, children and people with visual impairments.
A scooter may seem like a toy, but police treat it as a powered vehicle when it is used in public.
Serious Harm Would Be Investigated Like a Road Crash
Cumbria Police says that if someone causes serious harm while riding an e-scooter or unregistered e-motorbike, the incident will be investigated in the same way as if they were riding a motorcycle or driving a car.
That means a rider could face a serious police investigation if someone is badly injured.
This could apply if an e-scooter hits a pedestrian, causes another road user to crash, or is involved in a collision with a vehicle.
What About Rental E-Scooters?
Some parts of the UK have approved e-scooter rental trials.
In those areas, rental e-scooters can be used legally on public roads and in some cycle lanes, as long as the rider follows the rules.
However, riders must meet the conditions of the trial. This usually includes having the correct driving licence and using a scooter provided by an authorised rental company.
The rental company provides insurance as part of the scheme.
Private e-scooters are different. They are not covered by those rental trial rules and remain illegal to use in public spaces.
Where Can Private E-Scooters Be Used?
Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land.
This could include:
- a private garden
- a private driveway
- private land where the owner has given permission
They cannot be used legally on:
- public roads
- pavements
- cycle lanes
- public parks
- shopping areas
- town centres
- public car parks
Parents are being asked to think carefully before buying one.
If a child has nowhere legal to ride an e-scooter, police advice is not to purchase one.
Police Message to Families
The message from Cumbria Police is simple: privately owned e-scooters are not legal to ride in public places.
Parents are being urged to check the rules before buying one for a child.
Although e-scooters can look like a fun way to get around, they can lead to fines, penalty points, seizure and serious safety risks.
For families in Cumbria, the safest advice is to use them only on private land with permission — or not buy one at all if there is nowhere legal to ride.
