Stay off the pavement if you’re riding an e-scooter

24 May 2024

E-scooter users in Northamptonshire are being urged to stick to the road and stay off the pavement when riding e-scooters.

Northamptonshire Police, West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire Councils and scooter operator Voi are joining forces to remind riders of the rules.

Rental e-scooters, such as those operated by Voi, can only be ridden on roads, cycle paths or shared use cycle/foot ways designed for use by bikes/scooters and pedestrians. They should never be ridden on pavements.

Shared use cycle/foot ways are marked by blue circular signs with the symbol for a bike and pedestrians (an adult holding a child’s hand) in white. They sometimes, but not always, have a white line down the middle to segregate the path and they may have the cycle and pedestrian symbol painted in white on them.

It is illegal to ride private e-scooters on any public land in the UK.

Voi e-scooters can be parked on pavements, except for in no riding or no parking zones, but they should be wheeled on and off the pavement at the start and end of the journey.

Voi will take action against users who ride on the pavement with a three strike policy which can ultimately result in a lifetime ban.

Pavement riding by Voi riders can be reported by filling in an online form on report.voi.com or emailing [email protected] with details including date, time, exact location and if possible the scooter’s four-digit registration number.

Northampton Police advise anyone who spots a private e-scooter being ridden to call them on 101 or report it online at www.northants.police.uk/ro.  If caught, people risk a fine and having their e-scooters seized.

“We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that the e-scooter scheme is safe for all.

“Riding an e-scooter on the pavement is illegal and dangerous, and can cause significant consequences. We would like to remind all e-scooter riders to follow the rules on the road to help keep everyone safe.”Cllr Phil Larratt, Highways & Transport

“Riding an e-scooter on the pavement can be exceptionally dangerous and that’s why it’s illegal to do so.

“An e-scooter is a motorised vehicle and if one came into contact with a pedestrian, it could have serious, or even fatal, consequences.

“Please respect the rules of the road and your fellow road-users when riding an e-scooter by leaving the pavement for pedestrian use only.”Matt O’Connell, Safer Roads Team Manager for Northamptonshire Police

“Flagrant disregard for others by riding scooters on pavements is just not acceptable and I’d encourage residents to report this anti-social behaviour by contacting Voi. Sanctions will be taken against serial offenders.

“Since e-scooters were introduced in North Northants, we have always worked hard with Northants Police and Voi to ensure that riders are aware of where scooters are permitted and we will continue to do so.”Cllr Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets

“The vast majority of our users follow the rules and don’t ride on the pavement, but stick to the road, cycle paths or shared use cycle/foot ways for safe riding."

“E-scooters are a great way to get around - they’re safe, affordable and sustainable - but we don’t want our riders to cause an inconvenience to other members of the community."

“We would urge all riders to be considerate to other people, especially pedestrians and stay off the pavement when riding.”
James Bolton, general manager for Voi UK