A North Tyneside councillor intends to sell her e-scooter after its road legality has been brought into question.
In a local election campaign leaflet, councillor for Riverside, Wendy Lott is photographed on an electric scooter outside of the Howden Family Hub. The leaflet also goes on to say Coun Lott uses the scooter as part of her ward inspections.
The campaign literature reads: "Just about to set off on another tour of Howdon and East Howdon, inspecting streets, alleys and back lanes on her electric scooter. On this particular trip when she came across a litter-strewn underpass connecting East Howdon and Percy Main which was reported and promptly cleared by the council's estate team."
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However, the use of a private e-scooter on the pavement or roads is currently not allowed with the exception of several e-scooter trial areas, such as Newcastle, Tees Valley, and York. North Tyneside is not currently engaged in an e-scooter trial.
According to GOV.UK, if individuals use private e-scooters in non-trial areas "you could face a fine, you could get penalty points on your licence" and "the e-scooter could be impounded".
National police guidance on e-scooters states: "E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Which means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence, insurance and tax.
"It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned E-scooters, which means it's illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. If you're using a private E-scooter you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road traffic act 1988 for no insurance".
When approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Coun Wendy Lott said: "It is just a bit of naivety on my behalf, it would've been alright if it was a moped. Obviously, some people just want to jump on the bandwagon, if that's what they want to do, let them get on with it."
Coun Lott continued to say it was now her intention to sell the e-scooter.
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