Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police are reminding people who own and use e-scooters to stay safe and follow the law when travelling around the city.
E-scooters have become an increasingly popular way of getting around, offering a convenient and sustainable alternative to car travel.
Last year, the Council partnered with Bolt to provide 2,000 rental e-scooters across the city, helping people make shorter journeys while reducing congestion and emissions.
The scheme offers a range of benefits, including convenient travel, reduced environmental impact and dedicated parking bays near popular destinations. However, like all forms of transport, there is a risk of injury, particularly when e-scooters are used improperly or illegally.
Government data recorded 1,312 road traffic collisions involving e-scooters in 2024, including 49 in Merseyside. For this reason, a number of laws and safety measures are in place to help protect riders and other road users.
The law
Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the permission of the landowner. They cannot legally be ridden on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes or in public parks.
This is because e-scooters are classified as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. As such, they require insurance, tax, and registration, which are not currently available for privately owned e-scooters.
Only e-scooters operating as part of Government-approved trials can be used on public roads and cycle lanes. They must never be ridden on pavements or motorways.
Liverpool is one of a small number of local authority areas participating in an e-scooter trial through a partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The scheme is currently operated by Bolt, meaning Bolt-branded rental e-scooters are the only e-scooters permitted for use on public roads in Liverpool.
As rental e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles, users must hold at least a provisional driving licence. Insurance is provided by Bolt, provided riders comply with the scheme’s terms and conditions.
Staying safe
In addition to legal requirements, Bolt has a number of safety measures in place for users.
Riders must be aged 18 or over to register and hire an e-scooter. Anyone using another person’s account will not be insured and may be held liable in the event of an accident. Children must not use Bolt e-scooters.
To help prevent drink driving, users are required to complete an in-app cognitive reaction test before they can begin their journey at night.
E-scooters are designed for one rider only. Tandem riding, where two people travel on the same e-scooter, is prohibited and can be extremely dangerous.
At the end of each journey, users must submit a photograph of their parked e-scooter. Bolt’s AI-powered photo validation and geofencing technology checks that vehicles have been parked correctly and are not obstructing pavements or creating hazards for other people, particularly wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and those using prams.
Certain areas of the city are designated as no-ride zones because they are unsuitable for e-scooter use. If a rider enters one of these areas, the e-scooter will automatically stop operating.
Anyone found to be breaching Bolt’s terms and conditions may have their account suspended or permanently banned.
Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “E-scooters are a fantastic active travel option for getting around the city. They’re a great way to avoid congestion and reach your destination quickly.
“However, it is important that people follow the law when using e-scooters and only use rental e-scooters authorised through local authority schemes when travelling on public roads.
“The rules are there to keep everyone safe, whether they’re walking, wheeling, cycling or driving.”
Superintendent Paul Holden, lead for Operation Gears, said: “It’s important that people understand that privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements. We would encourage parents, carers and young people to familiarise themselves with the rules and ensure they are using e-scooters legally and responsibly.
“Through Operation Gears, our officers continue to proactively target the illegal use of e-scooters and other two-wheeled vehicles across Merseyside. We have seized thousands of vehicles being used unlawfully, and we will continue to enforce the law to help keep our roads, pavements and public spaces safe.
“The e-scooter rental scheme provides a legal and regulated way for people to use e-scooters, and it is important that those using the scheme, as well as other road users and pedestrians, can travel safely and with confidence.”
Georgia Heathman, UK Policy Lead at Bolt: “E-scooters are changing how people move around Liverpool. They cut congestion and get people where they need to go faster. That convenience only works if riders stay safe and stay legal.
“That’s why every Bolt scooter comes with insurance, a cognitive reaction test before each ride at night and AI-powered checks to make sure parking doesn’t block pavements or create hazards.
“Follow the rules and e-scooters are one of the safest, easiest ways to get around the city.”
