Northumbria Police warn parents over e-scooter and e-bike laws ahead of Christmas
Northumbria Police guidance on e-scooters and electric bikes. Note: Newcastle’s official rental e-scooter trial has ended, meaning the rental-trial exception does not currently apply locally
Northumbria Police are urging parents and carers to understand the law surrounding e-scooters, electric bikes and other powered vehicles before buying them as Christmas presents.
The force says many families may be considering e-bikes or e-scooters as gifts over the coming months, but has warned that vehicles being used illegally can be seized — and in some circumstances could ultimately be destroyed — while riders may also face prosecution.
Police said they want families to be clear about the rules before purchasing a vehicle, rather than discovering afterwards that it cannot legally be used on public roads or other public spaces.
PRIVATELY OWNED E-SCOOTERS
Northumbria Police has reminded residents that privately owned e-scooters are not legal to use on public roads or other public land.
They cannot legally be ridden on:
• Public roads
• Pavements
• Cycle paths
• Parks
• Shopping centres
• Other public spaces
Privately owned e-scooters can generally only be used on private land with the permission of the landowner.
Anyone riding a privately owned e-scooter in public also risks having the vehicle seized where legal requirements such as insurance are not met.
Northumbria Police says that if somebody causes serious harm to another person while riding an e-scooter, the incident can be investigated in the same way as it would be if a motorcycle or car were involved.
WHAT ABOUT RENTAL E-SCOOTERS?
There is a separate legal position for e-scooters rented through official Government-approved trial schemes in parts of England.
Where one of those trials operates, riders must meet the legal requirements of the scheme, including holding the appropriate driving licence, and insurance is provided through the rental operator.
However, this exception does not currently apply in Newcastle.
The Department for Transport confirmed in July 2026 that Newcastle’s rental e-scooter trial had ended.
This means residents should not assume that because rental e-scooters were previously seen around Newcastle, privately owned e-scooters can now legally be ridden on local roads, pavements or cycle paths.
They cannot.
ELECTRIC BIKES – EAPCs
Electric bikes which meet the legal definition of an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle, commonly known as an EAPC, can be used without a driving licence, registration, tax or compulsory insurance by people aged 14 and over.
A legal EAPC must:
• Have pedals which can be used to propel the bike
• Have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power of no more than 250 watts
• Stop providing electrical assistance once the bike reaches 15.5mph
A compliant EAPC can generally be used anywhere an ordinary bicycle can legally be ridden.
Helmet use is strongly recommended, although it is not legally compulsory for riders of a standard EAPC.
WHEN AN ‘E-BIKE’ IS ACTUALLY A MOTOR VEHICLE
Not every vehicle advertised or described as an “e-bike” legally counts as an EAPC.
If an electric bike does not meet the EAPC requirements — for example because its motor exceeds the permitted continuous rated power, it provides assistance beyond the legal speed limit or it cannot be propelled using pedals — it may instead be legally classed as a motorcycle or moped.
That can bring additional legal requirements including:
• Registration
• Vehicle tax
• Insurance
• An appropriate driving licence
• Vehicle approval requirements
• An approved motorcycle helmet
Other equipment requirements can also apply depending on the legal classification and specification of the vehicle.
The important point for buyers is that simply being sold as an “e-bike” does not automatically mean a vehicle can legally be ridden as an ordinary bicycle.
MOPEDS, SCOOTERS AND MOTORCYCLES
Road-legal mopeds, scooters and motorcycles are subject to their own rules.
Riders must be old enough for the particular category of vehicle, hold the appropriate licence and meet the relevant insurance, registration and training requirements.
Helmet use is mandatory.
POLICE WARNING AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS
Northumbria Police says the intention behind its warning is to prevent families from unknowingly buying vehicles which children or young people cannot legally use in public.
The force said:
“The last thing we want to do is seize vehicles which have been given as presents.”
However, police have warned that anyone breaking the law while using these vehicles risks having them seized and could potentially face prosecution.
The message is particularly relevant as electric scooters and increasingly powerful electric bikes continue to grow in popularity.
WHY THE RULES MATTER
Northumbria Police stresses that road safety law exists to protect riders as well as pedestrians and other road users.
A collision involving an e-scooter, electric bike, motorcycle or other powered vehicle can result in serious or life-changing injuries.
Parents and carers are therefore being encouraged to check exactly what type of vehicle they are buying, its power and maximum assisted speed, and where it can legally be used before giving it to a child or young person.
Protective equipment, including a correctly fitted helmet, is also strongly encouraged when children and young people are using appropriate wheeled equipment.
ADVICE FOR GREAT PARK RESIDENTS
Anyone considering buying an e-scooter or electric bike should check its legal classification before purchasing it.
In particular:
• A privately owned e-scooter cannot legally be ridden around Great Park’s public roads, pavements, cycle paths or other public areas.
• Newcastle’s official rental e-scooter trial has ended, so the rental-trial exemption does not currently apply locally.
• A standard electric bicycle must meet the EAPC requirements if it is to be treated legally in the same way as an ordinary bicycle.
• Higher-powered or modified electric bikes may legally be motorcycles or mopeds and can therefore require registration, tax, insurance, licensing and other legal requirements.
• The fact that a vehicle is freely available to buy online or in a shop does not automatically mean it is legal to use on public roads.
Northumbria Police is encouraging parents and carers to make sure young riders understand the rules before taking these vehicles out in public.
Source: Northumbria Police and Department for Transport.
