BBK Manifesto 2026: Time to regulate e-scooters

It seems almost unbelievable we are still waiting for legislation for e-scooters, and it’s imperative the Government acts without further delay to introduce clear laws to protect people injured on UK roads. 

After six years of trial schemes, repeated extensions and growing confusion for the public, it is still illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter in public, meaning they cannot be insured in the same way as other motor vehicles. This can leave people injured in collisions without a straightforward route to compensation from the rider’s insurer. 

It is not acceptable to leave riders, pedestrians and road users in legal limbo, and our Manifesto for Injured People demands urgent e-scooter regulation.  

This issue is particularly pertinent as in July it was revealed retailers including Amazon, Argos and Currys were found to be advertising e-scooters for use in public spaces, despite current UK regulations prohibiting privately owned models from being used on public roads and pavements. 

E-scooter trials for rented scooters launched in July 2020 and were initially intended to run until November 2021. They have since been extended five times and are currently due to end in May 2028. This duality between rented e-scooters and those that are privately owned creates a system that is confusing, inconsistent and unsafe. 

The UK is now one of the only countries where it is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter on roads and in public spaces. Ireland has introduced legislation which, from August 2026, bans e-scooters for under-18s and makes high-visibility jackets and helmets mandatory for all e-scooter use. From September, every e-scooter in Ireland will need to be registered amid concerns about serious and life-threatening injuries to children.  

Meanwhile, in Germany, rental e-scooter firms could face greater liability for accidents according to draft legislation – a move aimed at improving access to compensation as e-scooter use and collision rates continue to rise. 

Confusion for the public

The repeated delays to legislation are more than just an inconvenience. They have left the public facing a confusing and potentially unsafe system. Privately owned e-scooters can be legally bought, but cannot legally be used on public roads or pavements. At the same time, rental e-scooters can be used in public legally in Government-backed trial areas. Combined with inconsistent enforcement, it is hardly surprising many people remain unclear about the law. 

Through our work supporting seriously injured clients, as well as findings from previous surveys, we know many people do not fully understand the rules governing e-scooter use. This lack of clarity undermines public confidence and increases the risk to both riders and other road users because privately owned e-scooters cannot be eligible for insurance. That means those injured by riders of private e-scooters in public are forced to make a claim via the Motor Insurers’ Bureau under either the uninsured or untraced rider schemes. 

The need for a timeline and accountability

Without legislation, there is no clear path forward for addressing the far larger unregulated market of privately owned e-scooters. 

It is no longer enough for the Government to state that it needs to gather more evidence. We desperately need a clear timeline for legislation and a commitment to bring forward rules that address safety, education, insurance and retailer obligations. 

A call for change

The longer legislation is delayed, the more accidents will occur and the more confused the public will become. 

We are calling on the Government to introduce a clear plan that includes: 

• A timeline for new legislation. 

• A formal regulatory framework through the proposed Low-Speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category. 

• Greater responsibility for retailers to inform buyers of the current law. 

• Stronger public education campaigns to end the confusion around what is and is not legal. 

E-scooters are here to stay. It is time for the Government to move beyond endless trials and provide the clarity and protections that road users urgently need. 

This blog is part of our 2026/27 Manifesto for Injured People. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we support injured people not only by winning their cases but by driving positive change. Guided by our clients’ experiences and partnerships with charities across the UK, we are raising awareness of the changes needed to better support injured people. We will continue working with politicians from all parties to ensure injured people’s needs are not overlooked in Westminster or beyond. You can read our full manifesto here.