Mobile, nifty, fun and easy to use - it’s little wonder e-scooters are so popular in the UK and Europe. They’re emission-free, swift, and allow their users independence. Now, of course, an e-scooter won’t keep you fit, the way a bicycle will. But because they can be folded in half, you can board a standing-room-only train with an e-scooter without causing grief to other passengers, then scoot off to your final destination on the other side. While it is perfectly legal to sell, buy and own an e-scooter, current UK law forbids their use anywhere other than on private land, and with the owner’s permission. However, in most big UK cities, thousands of riders are flouting the law every day and, in the vast majority of cases, getting away with it. Electric scooters in the UK are currently governed by the 1835 Highways Act which restricts the use of Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEV) to private land. Truth is, we are aeons behind other countries when it comes creating legislation that applies to e-scooters, though the government has at least started a series of e-scooter trials in a number of cities across the UK. Nevertheless, we can expect the current legal situation to remain as is until at least late 2022. E-scooters are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries and are restricted to a top speed of 15.5mph (25kph), which is more than enough pace for safe riding. Any faster and those tiny 8.5- to 10-inch wheels may not be able to cope. Most e-scooters have a maximum range per charge of around 20 miles which is exceptional given their diminutive dimensions. The average e-scooter is equipped with a small handlebar-mounted thumb-activated lever or finger trigger that controls acceleration and speed. Most models provide three different power bands – walking pace, cruise and sport. The majority of sensible riders tend to use the cruise speed setting which is set at a maximum of around 12mph, an ideal speed for general commuting and leisure riding. The e-scooter will also have a display controller that’s often integrated into the handlebar stem. This LED display provides information like current speed, average speed, plus an odometer that records the total mileage covered. The majority of e-scooters can also be paired with an app for easier access to the controls and settings. Many better-quality e-scooters are equipped with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) that harnesses electricity and feeds it back into the battery when the bike is coasting down hill or braking. In order to start off with an e-scooter, you need to kick off with your foot to reach about 2mph before the brushless motor kicks in. This is a safety requirement and it’s a good thing because it prevents the scooter from shooting off if you accidentally touch the trigger while it’s at a standstill. Most e-scooters are fitted with at least one rear disc brake but if you want better stopping power, consider a model with disc brakes fore and aft. Since e-scooters are flying off the shelves, it’s in your interest to know which models are best. Here is our pick of the best e-scooters currently on the market.
