Christmas Warning from Northumbria Police: Think Twice Before Gifting or Riding an E-Scooter This Winter

Police Christmas Gift Warning.

As the holiday shopping season kicks off and people start thinking about gifts they can get during the holidays, Northumbria Police are making a statement: they want everybody to stop, particularly by considering an e-scooter or an electric motorbike as a present. What may appear to be a fun, trendy gift soon may turn into an issue in court or a liability. To parents, guardians, or even gift-givers just contemplating the idea of throwing one to the teenager as a surprise, the caution is also obvious: this is no toy -mishandling it might result in a seizure, fines, and even worse.

Not Every E-Scooter is Street-Legal.

It is easy to imagine that since you can purchase an e-scooter and they sell throughout the market, they are safe to ride anywhere. However, as stipulated by Northumbria Police and in the UK, as per the current law, the privately owned e-scooters are categorized as motor vehicles. It implies that they have to abide by the same regulations as motorbikes or cars. In the case of a large majority of e-scooters sold to people, that technically disqualifies public roads, sidewalks, and parks, most of the public space. Privately owned ones can only be legal on privately held land, but even then, permission must be granted by the landowner. Ride one on the road or on the pavement and be at risk of being taken away under the Road Traffic Act.

Rentals vs Private Ownership: What is Legal and What is not.

The legal methods of riding e-scooters exist, but they demand that you are on officially-approved rental schemes that run under trial permits, must be duly insured, and have a legitimate driving licence (even provisional). Such scooters used for rent are registered and permitted to be them on roads or cycle lanes. The thing is that the ones that people purchase themselves do not correspond to those requirements. Once you take the scooter that you consider personal in the street, you are not riding a recreational appliance; you are literally violating motor-vehicle law. In other words, fines, penalty points, and most probably seizure.

Risks of Safety, particularly in relation to the young riders.

But in addition to the legal problems, there is a real safety concern. E-scooters, and the e-mopeds or motorbikes, are capable of very high speeds, and are more frequently heavier and faster than people think. To unsophisticated riders (children or teens in particular), that adds the danger of accidents. The police have witnessed collisions of young riders and numerous cases where the e-scooters were in dangerous situations. Unequipped riding on the road – along the pavements or streets – is a massive risk factor for injury to the rider and other people.

The Fact: Seizures, Fines, and Possible Legal Problems.

This is not a hypothetical threat. Northumbria Police have already confiscated hundreds of electric vehicles (e-scooters, electric motor bikes, and illegally modified pedal cycles) since 2024 alone. There are also those riders who were caught unawares by the mere fact that they had not read the law, or thought the scooter was like a bike. Ignorance does not get you off the hook: depending on the situation, you are liable to get fixed penalty notices, points on your licence, the loss of the vehicle, or, in more extreme cases, the treatment of someone caught driving carelessly, under the influence, or without insurance.

Family and Gift-Giver Advice at this Festive Season.

Consideration is necessary when buying an e-scooter, whether for yourself, a teenager, or as a present. Make sure that you are renting a model that is not illegal on the roads. In case of a privately owned scooter, it is important to remember: it is legal only on private territory (with permission), otherwise it is technically out of bounds. And most important of all: first, safety. Helmet, protective equipment, responsible use – in case you cannot be sure of all of it, you should seek another present.

The Bigger Picture: Road Safety and Responsible Use.

This message by Northumbria Police is not only to prevent people from having a fun ride but to ensure that roads and people places are safe at all times. When incorrectly used or used illegally, e-scooters can pose a risk to the riders, pedestrians, and other road users. Due to their increasing popularity, there is an increase in the sphere of their necessity in terms of awareness, responsibility, and law-abiding. Finings and seizures should not be the result of the festal season. Safe and legal use can be made safely and with care.