Privately-owned e-scooters are set to be legalised in England, but Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI) says it currently has no plans to follow suit. Officials will instead ‘monitor developments’ before making recommendations to the Minister for Infrastructure.
A new Transport Bill, introduced in the 2022 Queen’s Speech, will make e-scooters legal in England through the creation of a low-speed, zero-emission vehicle category, independent from existing cycle and motor vehicle categories.
However, a Department for Infrastructure spokesperson told Belfast Live that it would remain illegal to use e-scooters on public roads and in public spaces in Northern Ireland for the foreseeable future.
“The proposed change in regulations in England does not apply to Northern Ireland, however, DfI officials are currently monitoring developments there and following review will provide advice to the Minister on the way forward.”
The spokesperson added that enforcement was the responsibility of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), “who have advised that they are taking steps to increase their response given the current increase in the illegal usage of e-scooters.”
A police spokesperson said: “Anyone found using an electric scooter anywhere other than on private property with the permission of the landowner should expect to receive a formal warning as a minimum course of action and given the opportunity to walk their scooter home with advice to its further use.
“Repeat offenders may have their e-scooter seized as an uninsured vehicle and may be issued with fixed penalty notices or reported to the Public Prosecution Service.”
