Following heavy retailer sales promotions of private e-scooters for Christmas, new owners should be warned that privately owned models are still illegal to ride on public roads, pathways and parks, and can only be used on private land with the owner’s permission.

Critically for businesses, some e-scooter models have been promoted as ideal for commuting. Employers have a duty of care to ensure that their employees are safe when travelling for business, regardless of the mode of travel undertaken.

Drivetech, part of the AA, is dedicated to keeping drivers safe on the road through its work providing speed awareness training for the police, as well as providing vital driver training to businesses UK-wide. Drivetech is the first UK safety organisation to have developed e-scooter training, working closely with a number of leading e-scooter companies to develop training and best practice safety recommendations for users.

“E-scooters have become an example of a new, green form of transport across cities, which we as a business wholly support for its sustainable credentials,” says Nick Butler, director at Drivetech. “Employers are aware that employees use e-scooters recreationally to get around, and that some may even use these to get to work and back. But they may not know that they have a duty of care to drivers in their employ, whatever mode of transport they use to get from A to B. Now is the time for businesses to make sure they fulfil their obligations to staff in managing the risks e-scooters present to employees and vulnerable road users.”

Drivetech has developed a micromobilty white paper, informing businesses on navigating new technologies and the safety and business risks involved, which can be downloaded here.

“The increase in sales at a time when regulations are still under development is not just a concern for e-scooter riders, but also for other road users and pedestrians who may be impacted,” Butler concludes. “Public use of e-scooters in the UK is only permissible using approved rental trial scooters, and private e-scooter misuse carries the potential for fines and penalty points. We also urge employers to make employees aware that use is illegal on anything other than private property with permission from the landowner.”

For more information about Drivetech, visit: www.drivetech.co.uk.


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