Choosing the right electric scooter for you is not as easy as it might seem, and there are some legal considerations you have to think about. This section is going to help you with the process of choosing the right scooter and if you are comfortable getting one for yourself. The first thing is looking at laws to do with electric scooters in the US, UK, and Europe.
Is it legal to rent e-scooters in the Ireland?
The Irish govt has legalised the rental of electric scooters in some specific cities in the Ireland, and more are being added monthly. The rented e-scooters can be ridden on the cycle lanes, roads, and tracks – as long as the driver has a full driving or provisional license. It is not allowed to drive on the pavements. The speed limit is 15.5 mph and helmets are not mandatory but recommended. The government is still monitoring the use of rental e-scooters and what impact they have on the public transport spaces so they can consider whether to legalize private electric scooters on the roads or not according to Green Electric Scooters.
Is it legal to have a private e-scooter on the road in the UK?
They fall under the category of “personal light electric vehicles” and this means you can only use them on private land provided you have permission from the landowner. If you ride it on the pavement or road, you can be fined and you are going to get six points on your driver’s license. There has been a recent push by MPs to legalize electric scooters in the country, but until there has been an official ruling, it remains illegal to ride an electric scooter on a pavement or a road in the UK.
Are they legal in the US?
While most US states have legalized private electric scooters, the laws usually differ from one state to the next. There are some states such as California that have fully embraced private electric scooters, and they can be commonly seen on the roads, but some have different legislation – including helmets below a certain age, speed limits, or only street use. These legislations are there to ensure safety. There are even some states that will require a driver to have a driver’s license before they ride an electric scooter.
Are they legal in Europe?
Just like in the United States, different countries have different laws concerning electric scooters. There are many European countries that initially banned them, but most softened their stance over time. It is legal to ride electric scooters in most European tourist hubs including Portugal, France, The Netherlands, and Germany. Each of these countries has its own laws in terms of the maximum speed limit, use of helmets, and so on.
Is the scooter for an adult or a child?
It is important to first know who the scooter is going to be used by. There is no shame in using your scooter as a form of transport to your work, school, or traversing the town. Riding a kid-sized electric scooter is not going to help with your street cred. If the scooter is to be used by a child, then it is important to get them the right size because they cannot handle the power and speed of the adult scooters.
How far and how fast do you want to go, and how often?
The main difference between scooters is their speed, the distance they can cover, and how often you need to charge them. If you are going to use a scooter for your commute, you need to consider the mileage you will be covering daily and how quickly you are going to travel on it. You also have to look at whether the electric scooter is going to commute in both directions without having to recharge. This is going to save you from the hassle of having to carry a charger when you go to work or school.
How much should you spend?
You can expect a good adult electric scooter to set you back £400, but if you want something with longer mileage between charges, then expect to spend about £600. When you have more to spend on the scooter, you are going to see higher speeds, longer-lasting batteries, and better mileage. If the scooter is going to be used for an hour or two a day, then it might be better to choose a good and cheap mid-range scooter instead.