Amazon and Argos among retailers selling e-scooters for ‘commuting’ despite risk of death

UK retailers are under fire for selling e-scooters marketed for “commuting” purposes, despite warnings from police and coroners that their public use is illegal and poses a risk of serious injury or death.

Brands such as Currys, Argos, Halfords and online giant Amazon have used promotional language such as “urban driving” and “long distance journeys” to sell these electric vehicles.

However, current law strictly prohibits privately owned e-scooters and hoverboards from entering public spaces, including roads, bike paths and sidewalks, and only allows their legal use on private land.

This marketing push comes at a time when government figures point to a significant increase; Up to 950,000 e-scooters are now believed to be privately owned across the UK alone.

In 2022, after a 14-year-old girl fell off her e-scooter and died under the wheels of a van, a coroner criticized retailers for selling vehicles without proper warnings about the law and said there would be more deaths without changes.

In June, police forces across the country launched a coordinated crackdown against illegal e-scooter use, and official data shows 10 people were killed and 1,484 injured in e-scooter collisions last year.

Research by the Press Association has found that retailers, from big brands to specialist e-scooter dealers, are giving customers the impression that the vehicles can be used on the road.

“Misinformation can lead to misuse, putting the lives of all road users at risk,” said Tanya Braun, director of external affairs at public safety campaign group Living Streets.

A page on the Currys website advertising Segway e-scooters tells customers they can purchase a “fun and efficient way to get around your local area”.

The page states that some of the models on sale have higher top speeds, “so you can make sure you’re not late for work.”

A page on the Argos website advertising adult electric scooters from brands including Pure, Segway, McLaren and Zinc claims they offer “hassle-free rides whether floating to work or traveling for leisure”.

“The commute has created some serious excitement,” he adds.

Amazon has a MIWEN electric scooter on sale for £379, recommended for “urban transportation”.

E-scooter adverts on Halfords websites come with a “legal notice” stating: “It is unlawful for an e-scooter to be used on a public road, pavement, cycle lane or bridleway.”

But in its sales pitch for the £499 Pure Escape e-scooter, the retailer tells customers it has cruise control “for added relief on long-distance journeys”, while Halfords also sells an £899 McLaren e-scooter for “urban riding”.

Ms Braun said: “Consumers should be made aware of restrictions on private e-scooter use.

“Lease scheme operators have had the design of their e-scooters approved by the Department for Transport and they know who is using their e-scooters and where.

“In contrast, a person using a privately owned e-scooter is likely to be driving a more dangerous vehicle with higher speeds and to be uninsured.

“Incorrect information can lead to misuse and put the lives of all road users at risk.”

The Press Association also examined advertising material from smaller retailers, including specialist e-scooter stores in the UK.

Some explicitly state that they are offering e-scooters for “urban transportation,” with customers being told they can “skip crowds and delays” and enjoy stability and comfort when “riding on city streets,” and some of the vehicle’s features, such as brake lights, are highlighted to “make sure you’re seen out and about.”

Under UK law, rented e-scooters can be legally used on the roads by driving license holders, but police have the power to stop private e-scooters, seize the vehicles and subject the user to a fine or criminal prosecution for driving without insurance.

Responding to the findings of the investigation, a Department for Transport spokesman said: “Despite the laws governing the sale and use of e-scooters being very clear, it is extremely disappointing to see major retailers continuing to sell e-scooters under false pretenses.

“We are aware of the safety concerns around e-scooters and so we are examining how they operate at trial sites across the country, so future legislation will keep both drivers and pedestrians safe.”

Following the inquest into the death of 14-year-old Fatima Abukar in 2022, east London coroner Graeme Irvine issued a “preventing future deaths” report to police, government and e-scooter retailers.

Stating that Fatima fell in front of the minibus while riding a private e-scooter without a helmet, he said: “While some e-scooter manufacturers and retailers in England and Wales issue written warnings to consumers regarding the illegal use of e-scooters, some do not do so.

“Where there are such warnings, they are often inconspicuous.”

Northamptonshire Police launched a crackdown on illegal e-scooter use this month after a five-year-old boy fell to the ground and suffered a fractured skull.

“These tools may seem useful, but when used illegally or irresponsibly they can pose a very serious risk,” Chief Inspector Nathan Shepherd said.

Argos includes prominent warnings about the law regarding e-scooters in each of its adverts, and after contacting the Press Association it edited its website to remove references to commuting in its advertising material.

“As a responsible retailer, we place clear warnings on all e-scooter product pages that they cannot be used on public highways, including roads and pavements,” a spokesperson for Argos said.

“To make it even clearer for our customers, we updated the wording on the search page to replicate the items we have already added to our product pages.”

Currys includes a similar disclaimer at the bottom of its product information for the e-scooters it sells, and is currently reviewing its website “to ensure there are no product listings suggesting that e-scooters may be used on public roads or areas.”

“When we sell an e-scooter in store or online, we make it clear to our customers that privately owned e-scooters can only be used legally on private land with the permission of the landowner,” added Currys.

Halfords told the Press Association it “offers a range of e-scooter options to customers and that the safety and legality of these products is a priority throughout the sales process.”

“We continue to provide clear guidance on the law regarding e-scooters both online and in store.”

Amazon said it has guidelines that adverts for e-scooters cannot include images of riders on roads or pavements and “must depict responsible use in accordance with UK law” and must carry a legal notice stating that “e-scooters are prohibited from being used on any public road or area in the UK”.