Police warn e-scooters and e-bikes ridden illegally could be destroyed

People will have to apply to the courts to get their seized e-scooters and e-bikes returned to them

Police have warned that they could destroy e-scooters and e-bikes that are being ridden illegally in Northern Ireland.

Over the past week officers have seized a number of e-scooters and e-bikes across Northern Ireland as they deal with reports of anti-social and danagerous behaviour involving the vehicles.

Following this, a number of officers took to social media to highlight the seizures and say that the owners of the e-scooters and e-bikes will have 14 days to apply to the courts, at their own expense, to have them returned or they will be destroyed.

Police have said that e-scooters and e-bikes are deemed to be motor vehicles and riders must have a driving licence and the vehicle must be taxed, insured and fitted with lights and a number plate. This means that many people who ride them, including children, are committing offences when they do so.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Under existing legislation, e-scooters are deemed to be a motor vehicle, meaning the rider must have a driving licence and the vehicle must be taxed, insured and fitted with lights and a number plate.

This means e-scooters on roads and in public spaces are being ridden illegally and, so, a large number of individuals – many of them children – are committing offences in that the machine they are riding is not legally allowed to be in a public space.

“Dependent on the circumstances when our officers engage with riders, they use the four ‘Es’ approach – Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce.

“We are also asking people to report inappropriate use so that we can seize machines safely, however, we recognise that on some occasions there can be public safety risks with enforcement, especially if the detection is made in a busy, built-up area. We will engage with the rider and seize the e-scooter when it is safe to do so.

“Long term, we believe the only durable, long-term solution to dealing with issues in relation to e-scooters is through legislative reform, and we are actively engaging with government departments to explore these options.

“Overall, it will require a co-ordinated approach by sellers, parents, users/owners, PSNI and partners to reduce the number of e-scooters on our roads and encourage their responsible and legal use.

“Information was circulated to officers last week reminding them of the power of seizure for uninsured motor vehicles, which includes e-scooters.

“This information outlined some of the tactical options available to officers when responding to reports of e-scooters on roads, or in public places. For example, use of drones, CCTV or a planned policing operation.

“It reminded officers of the offence of no insurance and the powers of seizure and disposal under the relevant legislation under the Road Traffic Order.

“This information is not part of any new Police Service instruction, and was contained in an internal document for officer-use only, and not for public dissemination.”

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