The biggest problems are that sites like Amazon and Wish are allowed to operate as marketplaces for thoroughly dodgy operators without assuming any responsibility for what's being sold on their platform, it's become pathetically easy to set up a dodgy company in the UK, and we've basically eliminated trading standards enforcement.
There are at least two in Northampton. Of those that I have seen, one is always on the pavement and the other's rider shows complete disregard for the rules of the road - he is likely to end up under a vehicle sooner or later.
The concern around batteries is greater with e-Scooters than it is for e-Bikes due to a number of factors. GWR does not permit e-Bikes to be charged on board though.
I've only seen the e-unicycles in London and like you say, the riders seem to be wanting to ride in such a way to antagonise others rather than actually get anywhere.
Reading the bits you've quoted makes it entirely clear that the retrofit kits aren't illegal, and that fitter just assumes legal responsibility for any failure and damage. The point being that the police really don't have any basis for confiscating a retrofitted e-bike. Even in the case of e-scooters etc, the basis for confiscation isn't fire safety - it's road safety.
If they notice that an e-bike can be ridden without the rider also pedalling then that's a good indicator of an illegal machine. They are supposed to be electrically assisted up to a maximum of 15mph rather then purely electric. Many of the Deliveroo/Uber Eats/Just East rider I see fail that visual check.
Anything that isn’t an e-bike is effectively banned anyways as most come under the category of motor vehicles technically, and are therefore not legal.
When they do try to enforce the rules of course they have a history of chasing children to their death in traffic and then having to deal with a resulting riot. I can understand why they might choose not to bother.
You would be correct, have fixed it.
Yes however from personal experience they are terrible. About 9 months ago I was hospitalised after being hit by an unlicensed e-scooter riding on a footpath at speed round a blind bend.
I think you have things a bit bass akward there. It's up to the authorities to prove that a bike doesn't conform with the regulations, not for the owner to prove that it does. While a certificate of conformance would be grounds to prevent a seizure, lack of one isn't grounds for the police to take it.
Is it not the case at the moment that privately owned e-scooters are illegal on the public highway? Difficult to see any justification for permitting them on board trains if that is the case.
For which they are very clearly banned by the trial operators to be taken on public transport. It's previously been an issue in Bath and Bristol, particularly with people trying to bring them between the two.
While the text you've quoted is found on Gov.UK (link for those playing along at home: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...cles-eapcs-in-great-britain-information-sheet), the actual legislation doesn't require that the bike carries any specific marking.
What is the penalty for not displaying the required markings ?
Well not directly, but perhaps proliferation of micromobility might mean we can start banning them from more places...
Legal cars don’t run around hitting people in the middle of a park. They also have licence plates, so when they do hit you the police at least say they’ll investigate, not that there’s no chance of catching them so they won’t even take a report as it makes their numbers look bad. (Which to be clear is exactly what I was initially told when I reported my accident).
