Saying it took an hour and meant an average of 19th is not the same as saying it’s a 20mph limit and that ok. Often you will be stationary for a lot of that then up to 70 or more to make up the time. And god forbid they take this no see to mways… 20mph by schools at start and end of day. 20mph in what is almost pedestrianised (ie small innet city streets that are super tight). Otherwise limits should be fluid. 20mph at school kick out time if often more dangerous than 60 at 0400.
And they drive those little 650cc turbocharged Kei cars: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/tgs-guide-japan/ten-japanese-kei-cars-we-need-uk
Here's the law relating to unfitness to ride a bicycle including an eBike (but only one which complies with the regulations re: power, cut out and pedals). To repeat - an eBike with a motor that produces more than 250w or which doesn't cut out at 15.5 mph or, if manufactured after 2016 isn't "pedal assist", is deemed to be a motorbike and will result in a world of legal problems if you're caught riding one on the public roads (including cycle lanes and the pavement), especially while drunk. RTA 1988 s.30(1) "A person who, when riding a cycle on a road or other public place, is unfit to ride through drink or drugs (that is to say, is under the influence of drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle) is guilty of an offence." However, there is no need to prove "unfitness" by reference to a level of alcohol in breath, blood or urine, so while a failed breath test would be some evidence of unfitness, it might not be conclusive if it is only just over the limit. NB: a roadside breath test is not admissible as evidence for the offence of driving with excess alcohol because that evidence has to come from a Home Office type approved device and they are huge machines about the size of a photocopier. There's also a very strict protocol, which involves completing a 20 page MGDDA form, for the taking of an evidential breath sample. The evidence of a police officer will suffice to prove unfitness eg: "I had the suspect under observation for at least 2 minutes, during which time he was swerving from one side of the carriageway to the other and clearly did not have the machine under proper control. When stopped and asked to alight from the machine, he fell over and when he stood back up again he was swaying on the spot. He smelled strongly of intoxicating liquor, his eyes were bloodshot and he was slurring his words..." etc. They should also carry out a "Field Impairment Test" by getting the suspect to balance on one leg, walk in a straight line, bring their finger to their nose etc. I wonder if a roadside breath test failure might be admissible as evidence of unfitness, albeit it would not on its own be conclusive evidence.
According to a local constabulary website, E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Which means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax, hence you can be prosecuted for drink driving, which I think is slightly different to a bicycle (or an e-bike) as you don't need a licence to use one of those on the road as far as I'm aware, something to do with them having pedals and being electrically assisted?. As an E-scooter is classed as a motor vehicle, I imagine 'failure to provide a specimen' is unlikely to end well. Clearly the blokes on the TV prog didn't know any of this as they didn't seem roaring pissed but were over the limit anyway, and as the narrator said, ignorance of the law is no excuse.....Something to bear in mind after a couple of Creme de menthe frappe's and a strawberry daiquari chaser.
Yes, you're right, because for one thing scooters don't have any pedals. I'll edit my previous post. However, I don't know the legal status of those e-scooters that can be lawfully hired out by approved companies.
It’s an enforced 20mph limit. It’s physically impossible to go faster. Much of the M6 in the West Midlands is restricted by the variable speed limits for much of the day. I’ve been driving for a long time now and like to think of myself as a very alert and skilled driver but in recent times I often been outside the comfort zone of feeling safe with drivers of cars, vans and trucks tailgating as they don’t think the limit applies to them.
our new van (bought for the Mrs gardening business) has a warning on the dash telling us when we are going over 20mph. looking at the logbook, it originally came from a gardening company in Wales. hmm. well well well. would you Adam and Eve it.
They are/were part of a trial, there's one going on in Bristol. You have to present a driving licence to hire one, which includes insurance. Then you are only permitted to ride it in designated areas.
Yeah, I know, but was wondering about the technical legal mechanism which carves out an exemption for the trial scooter hire schemes, because a local council can’t simply decide that the law no longer applies to them or their contractors.
Think it’s govt based and they (renting company) have some kind of insurance policy in place. Good luck claiming tho
Perhaps, but that’s an operational thing. But the local authorities, their contractors and the people who hire the scooters are all benefitting from some kind of exemption from the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and I don’t know how that’s been achieved.
It’s all a con anyway just to extract more money. It’s nothing to do with environmental improvement or they’d simply change the law to allow them under same conditions as an electric bike but allow for no pedals
They're useful for visitors to the city who want to get about for the day, rather like the Boris bikes in London, I see the usefulness in that role, when used in the designated lanes. For personnel day to day use, unless you're physically impaired, people should get off their arses and walk or use a pedal bike.
Tbh I used one on holiday, first time I’d ridden one and my missus was really keen to get one until I said they are illegal. Imho are either all legal, ie as per elec bikes rules, or they are all illegal. And they should be legal…. Edited for @Nelson
