Can you ride e-scooters on bike paths and cycle lanes in Newcastle and Sunderland?

E-scooters could be here to stay as the Department for Transport is looking into legalising them in the UK.

Currently, the only way you can legally ride an electric scooter in the UK is by hiring one available through a Government trial. They include the Neuron E-scooters in Newcastle and Sunderland.

In April, the Government announced plans to bring in legislation to legalise private e-scooters, but until then, riding one you own is illegal and you won't have any insurance if you do.

Read more: The laws that could see e-scooter riders fined

There are rules about where you can ride the e-scooters available to hire in Newcastle and Sunderland. You shouldn't ride on pedestrian pavements, for example, and you shouldn't ride one under the influence of alcohol.

But what about cycle tracks and cycle lanes?

Can you ride e-scooters on cycle paths and bike lanes in Newcastle and Sunderland?

First, you can only legally ride an e-scooter if it is rented through a Government trial. In Newcastle and Sunderland, the orange Neuron e-scooters are part of that trial.

The terms of use state that you should ride the scooters on the road and never on pedestrian pavements. But you can take them on bike paths and cycle lanes.

The terms state: "In Newcastle and Sunderland, you can ride on roads or cycle lanes (which have a speed limit of 30mph or less in each case) or on cycle tracks."

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