On 3 December 2025, PACTS supported a parliamentary roundtable at Portcullis House, hosted by Helen Maguire MP, to examine the challenges facing police and policymakers in responding to the continued use of private e-scooters in the absence of legislation.
The roundtable brought together those with lived experience of the impacts of unsafe e-scooter use, practitioners working to confront real risks in the absence of clear legislation, and MPs committed to delivering safe transport for their constituents while supporting responsible innovation.
“E-scooters have the potential to be part of a safe and sustainable transport system. However, the current lack of legislation in the UK means that e-scooters used outside trial areas are illegal, often lack sufficient safety standards, and have been associated with problems such as anti-social behaviour.”
Although private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads and pavements, they are easy to buy and are often used regardless of age restrictions, including by children. Around the table, there was a strong sense that many people simply do not understand what is legal and what is not. This confusion is made worse by inconsistent retail practices and has led to growing concern from constituents about safety, nuisance and antisocial behaviour.
Police officers spoke candidly about how difficult it is to enforce laws that were never written with e-scooters in mind. Representatives from Derbyshire Constabulary explained that once they introduced a policy of immediately seizing uninsured private e-scooters, the number of injury cases fell sharply. This experience showed that enforcement can work, but only when the police are given clear and workable powers.
The roundtable also heard directly from those with lived experience of serious harm, including the family of Jacob, whose story is told through Jacob’s Journey – Life over Death. Jacob was just 14 years old when he was killed while riding as a passenger on a friend’s private e-scooter. Their contribution brought home the human cost of inaction and highlighted why delays to regulation have real and devastating consequences for families.
Dr Charlotte Durand, Joint Specialty Clinical Director and Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Emergency Department says:
“Emergency Departments continue to see increasing numbers of injuries and some tragic deaths of children due to e-scooter accidents since 2019. These include life changing traumatic brain injuries as well as serious injuries requiring surgery and admission to hospital. Public engagement work has shown most families are unaware of the law around e-scooters, nor of the significant dangers of children riding them despite their vulnerability both physically due to their size and their understanding of risk. Engagement with children and their families is vital as well as clear public health messaging and education to ensure our most vulnerable members of the community are protected from serious injury from e-scooters.”
The discussion took place alongside the publication of the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy, which includes a target to reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured on roads by 70% by 2035. Delivering that ambition will require decisive progress on e-scooter legislation, alongside funding, enforcement and political backing.
“For over five years PACTS has been campaigning for legislation which prioritises safety for e-scooters, both in their construction and use. In the void without regulation for private use, and with limited enforcement, too many children have been the victims of poor-quality products which are readily accessible to ride. Something has got to change. We call for the Government to put its back behind its goals in the new Road Safety Strategy and give the Parliamentary time needed to deliver the long-awaited legislation.”
The consensus at the roundtable was that legislation must address both vehicle standards and behaviour, including speed limits, age restrictions and retail responsibility. High-powered imports, unsafe batteries and conversion kits were highlighted as particular risks.
Key takeaways
-
- There is widespread public confusion of the legal status of private e-scooters and little regulation of current legislation for sales, imports or use.
- A national awareness campaign is urgently needed, focused on parents and children.
- Retail regulation is inconsistent, and irresponsible marketing continues.
- Police need to be supported with clearer enforceable powers. Successful pilot enforcement models exist.
- Battery and speed-conversion safety issues require greater regulatory controls.
- Future legalisation is likely, when it is made it must include design safety standards and age restrictions if e-scooters are to be integrated into the transport system to support Vision Zero road safety goals.
