It’s pretty clear that sales of electric scooters are on a rapid rise at the moment.
The two-wheeled, motor-powered contraptions provide a tempting alternative to cars and other vehicles for many people, especially city centre commuters, as they’re cheaper to run, easier to park, and will likely only set you back anywhere from just over £100, to more than £1000.
According to Which?, Halfords – the UK’s leading provider of motoring and cycling products and services, which sells a selection of electric scooters from popular brands including Xiaomi and Segway – said it has seen a 184% increase in sales year on year in November 2020 for e-mobility products.
An earlier study by the retailer, which polled 2,000 UK adults, found that 16% of respondents claim to own an electric scooter, and 28% would also consider swapping their car for an e-scooter to “benefit the environment”.
These statistics all point to the demand for e-scooters being there, and that those in the market for one won’t have much trouble sourcing a reputable retailer these days either.
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Finding a place to ride your new purchase without breaking the law might be, though.
It seems like every other week or so that a fresh story of someone illegally riding an e-scooter hits the headlines, with many coming up against driving bans, hefty fines, and even jail time in the worst case scenarios.
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Just last week, a 34-year-old Bolton man, Kyle Lowthian, was sentenced given 10 months in prison – suspended for two years, during which he will have to participate in a thinking skills programme and three days of rehabilitation activities – after being spotted by police using an e-scooter one year after a driving ban.
Mr Lowthian’s case resembles numerous others occurring right across the UK, but it isn’t the same for all areas of our region.
As part of a 12-month trial introduced at the start of July 2020 to assess whether the devices reduce motor traffic and what impact they have on the safety of users and those around them, a number of rental e-scooter schemes are currently taking place in Greater Manchester – which permits them to be used on certain public roads and settings at a maximum of 15.5mph – but outside of this, some pretty serious rules do apply.
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But what are they?
Here’s everything you need to know about e-scooters.
The only place an e-scooter can be used is on private land, with the permission of the landowner.
They cannot be ridden on a UK public road, cycle lane or pavement.
Whether you realise it or not, e-scooters are actually classed as motor vehicles, which therefore means that the rules that apply to motor vehicles also apply to e-scooters, including being in possession of a full UK driving license – not an overseas provisional licence, learner permit or equivalent – insurance, and the need to be taxed.
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If you’re caught riding an e-scooter without the proper insurance, you could receive an on-the-spot fine of £300 and six penalty points, and when it comes to being without a driving license, you could also be given a Fixed Penalty Notice with an up to £100 fine and three-six penalty points.
Police will also take action against rider behaviour, whether private or rental.
Offences could include:
Riding on the footway – Fixed Penalty Notice and possible £50 fine.
Using a mobile phone – £100 and six penalty points.
Riding through red lights – Fixed Penalty Notice, £100 fine and possible penalty points.
Drink driving offences – As with driving cars; court imposed fines, driving ban and possible imprisonment.
While it’s recommended that you wear a helmet, you are not legally required to do so, and unlike motor vehicles, e-scooters don’t need to have a registration plate.
Where are e-scooter trials currently taking place?
A number of e-scooter trials are currently taking place in towns and cities across the UK, with the devices only permitted to be used within the local area that is hosting the trial, and riders participating in the trials needing a full or provisional car, motorcycle or moped licence, must be aged at least 16, and urged to wear a helmet.
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In Greater Manchester, trials began in the boroughs of Salford and Rochdale in February.
30 other towns and cities across the UK have begun trials since July 2020, including the fellow major northern hubs of Cheshire West and Chester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York and more.
Where can I rent an e-scooter in Greater Manchester?
As previously mentioned, e-scooter trials are currently taking place in the Greater Manchester boroughs of Rochdale and Salford, and in both locations, the leading e-scooter company Lime Scooters are responsible for rentals.
You will need to download the Lime Scooter app to use the devices.
Once you have downloaded the app, you can then see where the e-scooters are currently located – shown on the app with a scooter symbol – and also discover locations for parking your scooter when you’re done, shown on the map with a ‘P’ symbol.
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All you’ll need to do is follow the instructions on the app to find out how to use and drop off a scooter when you’re done.
Find out more information about e-scooter rentals in Greater Manchester here.
Featured Image – Lime Scooters
Trending
Man United release statement after controversy around Jim Ratcliffe comments on immigration
Danny Jones
Manchester United Football Club have issued an official statement following the controversial comments made by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe surrounding immigration earlier this week.
This comes after Ratcliffe himself ultimately apologised for his “choice of language” in an interview with Sky News reporter Ed Conway.
His remarks, now widely publicised and having already sparked plenty of backlash and debate, have been criticised for being not only politically charged but also divisive, inflammatory and ‘inaccurate’.
Now, Man United – the global footballing brand with one of, if not the largest worldwide fan base that he has a minority stakeholding in – has shared a message online, reiterating that the organisation “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.”
Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.
We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.
The statement reads: “Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.
“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.
“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”
Some believe more should still have been said and earlier, especially given that the press release doesn’t reference Ratcliffe directly, but they have finally broken their silence on the matter nearly 24 hours after the fact.
As for those who haven’t dug into exactly what the 74-year-old businessman and Monaco resident said in the sit-down with Sky, you can find out more here:
As for United, their media team goes on to write: “Over the course of this season, we have participated in events and initiatives at our men’s and women’s games marking mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, No Room for Racism, violence against women and girls and homophobic chanting.
“We have also celebrated our supporters’ clubs’ events, including our Disabled Supporters’ Association’s Christmas Party and our Jewish Supporters’ Club’s Chanukah event.
Concluding with one final message of commitment, they add: “In the weeks and months ahead, we will be supporting further initiatives in these areas.
This update clearly comes in response not only to the calls from supporters and people around the world to reply (the news breaking late yesterday afternoon), but in the wake of the British billionaire’s apology – though many still feel it falls short of an adequate one.
As for the several notable figures to have taken issue with Ratcliffe’s remarks, the Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was one of the most outspoken in his public reaction.
Despite having met and spoken with the INEOS boss on a number of ocassions as part of the Old Trafford Regeneration ‘Taskforce’, which includes plans to develop the football team’s home stadium, Burnham didn’t hold back in levelling his criticism at Ratcliffe and the wider ownership group.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Sky News (screenshot via YouTube)
Trending
Jim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘choice of language’ after backlash over immigration comments
Danny Jones
Football’s leading anti-discrimination organisation here in the UK, Kick It Out – among many others – have issued an official statement condemning some of the recent comments made by Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration, for which he has since issued an apology.
Safe to say that the remarks made by the minority stakeholder haven’t gone down well among the majority either, be that United fans, other football supporters, or members of the public in general.
Unsurprisingly, the contentious talking head sparked major backlash far beyond just the fan base, with everyone from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, pundits such as Carl Anka and political commentator Piers Morgan issuing their own responses to the clip on social media.
Meanwhile, Anka is one of many to flag accusations of hypocrisy behind the British billionaire’s stance, given that he has registered his formal residence in the principality of Monaco, meaning that not only does he not currently reside in his home nation, but he doesn’t pay UK income tax either.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also came out to criticise the 73-year-old INEOS chairman and CEO, writing simply that what he said was “offensive and wrong”, noting that “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.”
Ratcliffe was born in Failsworth (part of the metropolitan borough of Oldham) but most notably lived in Hampshire, before also relocating his petrochemical company’s headquarters to Switzerland back in 2010 and, as previously mentioned, moving to Monaco himself at the outset of the pandemic.
As for Kick It Out, the anti-hate group shared a short but emphatic statement on social media expressing their disappointment and distress following the outburst.
I'm confident the vast majority of my fellow United fans want nothing to do with Ratcliffe's toxic comments. A horrible man happy to dodge tax and sow division in the country that made him.
The statement goes on to recognise that Man United‘s home city is one “whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants”, adding, “This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”
Despite having roots in the region, many online are now expressing that they feel the expat deeply misunderstands not only the multiculturalism that makes the club a global brand and worldwide sporting community, but also the region he was born in, and the country he belongs to, what it is today.
Plenty more on social media are also raising concerns after journalist Ed Conway pointed out that Ratcliffe recently engaged with right-wing Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Following the uproar, Ratcliffe has shared an update directly via Sky after pressure from numerous directions to apologise, including from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised over his 'choice of language' in his Sky News interview.
The statement reads: “I’m sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it’s important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.
“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.
He concludes by insisting: “My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”
You can watch Jim Ratcliffe’s sit-down with the news broadcaster in full right HERE.
Ash Sarkar, "Jim Ratcliffe is a stinking hypocrite"
"He became a tax resident of Monaco to save £4 billion that could have gone towards British schools, the British NHS, towards British defence, instead he decided he wanted that money for his own pocket"
Emily Sergeant -
29th April 2021 
