Humberside Police Warns Parents: Illegally Ridden E-Scooters to be Crushed
Humberside Police have issued a warning to parents that e-scooters and some e-bikes purchased for children this Christmas will be crushed if ridden illegally. Over the past year, the police have seized 250 e-scooters and 81 e-bikes. It is illegal to ride privately owned electric scooters in public places, including roads and pavements, while electric bikes must not exceed speeds of 15.5mph and can only be ridden by individuals aged 14 and above. PC Susan Scott emphasized the dangers, noting that these devices are often sold as toys but can reach speeds too fast for children to handle, leading to serious injuries. The police have observed an increase in serious collisions involving these vehicles, with some modified versions capable of reaching speeds up to 60mph. Nationally, there were 1,312 collisions involving e-scooters in 2024, resulting in 1,390 casualties and six fatalities.