A ban on privately-owned e-scooters on UK roads and paths has been flouted by major retailers, with Amazon, Argos, and Currys among those found advertising e-scooters for commuting and urban riding despite the law.
The investigation revealed that these leading retailers had been promoting e-scooters as a viable option for getting around towns and cities, but only rented e-scooters are permitted to be ridden on public roads and paths. Riders of privately-owned e-scooters must hold either a provisional or full driving licence, yet many adverts failed to mention this crucial caveat.
Following contact from the Press Association (PA), these retailers swiftly revised their advertising, pointing to guidance on their websites reminding customers to comply with local laws. However, smaller retailers continue to disregard this guidance, describing e-scooters as a 'great way for adults to get around' and a 'smart choice for daily travel needs'.
The UK Department for Transport has estimated there could be up to 1.2 million privately-owned e-scooters in the country, with recent data highlighting 10 fatalities and 485 serious injuries resulting from e-scooter collisions in 2025.
These retailers' failure to adhere to regulations raises concerns over the safety of e-scooter users and non-users alike. With government laws aimed at regulating e-scooter use in place, it remains unclear what measures will be taken to address this issue and prevent further incidents.