MINISTERS will discuss how the Island legislates e-scooters in the “near future”, the Infrastructure Minister has said after two riders were seriously injured in collisions last weekend.
Constable Andy Jehan reiterated in yesterday’s States sitting that it remained illegal to use e-scooters anywhere other than on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Discussion ignited on social media earlier this week after two young e-scooter riders – a 12-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man – ended up in hospital with head injuries following separate collisions, which took place within 48 hours of each other.
The younger of the two was flown to Southampton for treatment for a “significant” head injury. The States police said he remained in a stable condition.
Deputy Tom Coles asked the Infrastructure Minister, who declined to comment to the JEP on Monday, whether there had been progress on the Road Traffic Law and how e-scooters fitted into that legislation.
In response, Mr Jehan began by wishing both injured Islanders a “full and speedy recovery”.
He added: “We’ve received correspondence from interested parties. Some want us to regulate them, some want us to police the ban on them. I have spoken to a number of ministers, and we’re going to place this on a near-future Council of Ministers meeting agenda where we can have a full discussion.”
On Monday, the JEP was informed that the minister’s position had not changed since he spoke on the topic during a previous States sitting in late May.
At that time, he said he did not intend to change laws to legalise e-scooters on roads and pavements, citing “other priorities” such as e-bike rules.
He recognised the potential benefits of e-scooters, he said, but added “significant concerns remain regarding safety, infrastructure and enforcement”.
“I believe that further studies and careful planning are necessary to address these issues comprehensively,” he added.
Head of roads policing, Inspector Callum O’Connor, also reminded Islanders this week that the use of e-scooters on public roads, pavements and in other public spaces was illegal.
He said: “These devices can reach significant speeds, and without proper infrastructure and regulation, their use poses a significant risk.”
Insp O’Connor further encouraged Islanders to report illegal e-scooter use to the police.
