Where can you ride an e-scooter in the Midlands?

Government e-scooter trials continue across the Midlands, but councils that aren't part of the trail want to remind residents of the rules.

The Wolverhampton City Council and West Midlands Police are highlighting that they are not involved in a Government scheme, and therefore riding the vehicles in public places is not permitted.

The council has warned "anyone found riding an e-scooter in Wolverhampton could see their vehicle seized and crushed by the authorities".

Where can you ride an e-scooter?

In the Midlands, Government trials are taking place in Birmingham, Cheltenham, Corby, Coventry, Gloucester, Northampton, Nottingham, Kettering, Sandwell and Wellingborough.

In these areas, you must use one of the registered apps to sign up and you can only use the scooters during permitted hours and in certain areas.

For example, if you try to ride a scooter along canals in Birmingham, it will automatically stop and you will not be able to proceed. Similarly, it's often the case that the apps will not let you unlock a scooter at night.

This is to ensure that no one rides a scooter drunk or intoxicated, as careless and dangerous driving offences also apply to users of e-scooters.

Can I ride my own electric scooter?

No. You are only allowed to use electric scooters on private land with the permission of the land owner and in certain areas undergoing government trials.

If you are not using a scooter as part of a trial, it is illegal in spaces set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-riders and anyone using them on a public road can be prosecuted.

You could face a fine, get penalty points on your licence and the e-scooter could be impounded.

And in trial zones, you must only use the scooters provided by designated companies running the trial.

Private scooters cannot be used on public roads, even in the trial zones where scooters are permitted.