Frome Neighbourhood policing Team have reminded people about the rules of E-Scooters .

Dozens of private e-scooter riders were warned they face fines and points on their licence if they break the law - and officers can seize private e-scooters ridden illegally.

E-scooters are covered by the same laws and regulations that apply to all motor vehicles. Riders of rental e-scooters must still comply with traffic legislation - no riding on the pavement or while under the influence of drink or drugs. The majority of privately-owned scooters can only be used legally on private land with the permission of the landowner .

However their reminder of the law has led some in Frome to ask why illegal scooting is not being tackled - or conversely why the law isn't changed so that they are not illegal if they are used around the town.

As the police team posted the update one Frome reader said the officers should be campaigning instead to make riding e scooters legal.

A Frome resident posted: " Sometimes we all know the law is wrong. In this case a company that rents them is allowed to make a lot of money legally, and an honest person that is using one (just like they would an e-bike) gets prosecuted. This is a stupid archaic law that needs to be changed.

For the record, I don't have one, but can see the huge benefits of owning one, especially in Frome and any city. Lets call for a change in the law."

This could already be underway - with changes in the law which could include rules to legalise e-scooters in the second half of 2023.

The issue of e-scooter legality has previously been in the House of Lords and then late last year, in December, in the House of Commons for the first time. The Department of Transport is on record as saying "we recognise the current lack of regulation is at odds with the increasing use of e-scooters". 

Ongoing rental e-scooter trials, such as that in Bristol – which have now been extended until May 2024 – and are being used to gather evidence which could shape any new legislation. There have so far been four deaths involving e-scooters that were part of rental trial schemes.

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