Hi All,

A member of management has provionally authorised the purchase of a electric scooter to minimise the effect on staff morale of a remote storage area. (One) Problem is, staff will need to ride both on a 'regular' street, and also on a pedestrianised section of high street. 

From my research, scooters seem 'technically' illegal.

I am happy to carry out a Risk Assessment and introduce safety measures - helmet, high vis, speed restriction on purchase etc 

However, my question is I guess, should we be avoiding this altogether?

Thank you

Very much an illegal device for use on a public road or pedestrian footpath - look at bicycle or tricycle instead

Thinking laterally, before I then say no.........

It's a company "vehicle", that you provide for your employees to drive/ride. So, get it insured for use as you describe, and then risk assess etc.

I doubt very much any insurance company would cover the use of this scooter as you describe

regards

Hi Quick search brought up this report from the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48106617

As ttxela says, go for an electric bike - they are known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). You do not need a licence to ride one and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.

It must show either:

• the power output
• the manufacturer of the motor

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed of the bike

Its electric motor:

• must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
• should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph

An EAPC can have more than 2 wheels (for example, a tricycle).

Electric bikes are wonderful devices, but they start at around £1K and a good one which would stand up to the rigours of commercial use would set you back something like £3K. Electric scooters are cheap... Not saying that cheap is good, just trying to think like a stingy/cash-strapped employer...

John

Edited by user 16 July 2019 11:47:15(UTC)  | Reason: The usggual

Originally Posted by: Mark-W

Are electric bikes covered under the bike to work scheme? Not sure how it works fully but is there a tax benefit to the emplyer?

Yes they are! Our organisation offers ebikes on this basis.

Cheap for a reason... not compliant wth the law of the land is the usual explanation closely followed by not fit for intended purpose

The idea is a failure even if we could find a road legal version - we would be looking to ride through a pedestrianised area which usually means no motor vehicles, ie, excludes our morale booster machine.   What is the morale issue? That the people have to walk from A to B or something else.  If it is long distances then perhaps a van/car is the realistic option.   You may boost morale a little and use the elec scooter on-site and then they just have to walk through the pedestrian zone to the next area.  Ooops, now what do we do with the helmet etc whilst they are away from the machine. Of course, we know that in hot weather it will be too hot to ride and in winter too cold, wet, snowy etc etc etc   The factors that will have to be implemented to use it may well out weigh that initial morale booster.  Besides it not being legal for use on the road / pedestrain zone