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Police are warning islanders not to use e-scooters and other 'alternative' transport on roads.
In a post on Facebook last week, the St Helier Honorary Police outlined the different modes of transport as ‘not for road use’:
The post added that “those who are witnessed to be using any of the above on any Public Place (road, cycle track, pavement, precincts etc) could be warned to attend a Parish Hall Enquiry”, and that officers would be conducting patrols.
Jersey Police told Express it was important to get the message out around the festive period because, if people "are thinking of buying one this Christmas, we wouldn’t want anyone to be disappointed to find out they should only be used on private land and cannot be used legally on public roads and pavements."
However, a number of islanders have disputed whether the laws preventing them from taking their electric wheeled devices to the roads are fair, with one Facebook commenter asking: “Escooter rentals exist in most major European cities, so why should they be banned in Jersey, where traffic in comparison is so much calmer?”
Pictured: A petition has been set up for Jersey to introduce laws for the safe use of electronic powered transport devices.
Another commenter pointed to environmental benefits, saying: “It’s really sad that things like this are being stopped when people are trying to help the environment by not driving and using something like a scooter to get to work, town etc.”
Strength of opinion has got to the point that an e-petition to make a law for the safe use of electric powered transport devices has now been signed by more than 300 people.
“We need to get with the times and open up the use of electric transport devices for greener methods of transportation in a safe way," a statement accompanying the petition explains.
“Trials are currently going ahead in the UK to bring in laws for the safe use of electric transport devices such as e-scooters, unicycles and skateboards and Jersey should follow suit to encourage greener modes of transport.
“Many countries that already have legislation in place allow them when restricted to a certain speed and many countries insist on the user having public liability insurance which could be considered.”
A Government spokesperson said:
"Jersey’s ambition is to be carbon neutral by 2030, and, since petrol and diesel powered vehicles account for more than half of all Jersey’s carbon emissions, we must move to alternative forms of transport. Electric-powered cars and bicycles are already becoming common on Jersey’s roads, and other electrically-powered forms of transport are also likely to become more common.
"New types of electric vehicles may be part of the solution, but only if they are safe for users, and are not a danger to other road users. There are no internationally-recognised safety standards for these vehicles yet, and a lot of legislative work will have to be done before they can be driven legally in Jersey.
"Our ambition if that, by 2030, our transport system will make our everyday lives better, support businesses, encourage us and our children to be healthier and make our Island greener. The Sustainable Transport Policy will shape how we achieve that, I would encourage all Islanders – including those who have signed the petition - to get give their views on the bigger plan via the Sustainable Transport Survey, which is currently underway."
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