E-scooter users could face a “hefty” fine, a driving ban, or a prison sentence if they use their devices on public roads or cycle paths, the island’s chief prosecutor has warned.
Attorney General Mark Temple KC issued the guidance following a recent spate of accidents.
He explained: “E-scooters are motor vehicles under Jersey Law. So are electrically assisted pedal cycles with motors which can make them go faster than 15.5 miles per hour.
“If you ride an e-scooter or 15.5 mph-plus e-bike on public roads, public footpaths or public cycle lanes you will be committing offences under the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956.
“Depending on the offence committed you could end up with a hefty fine, a driving ban, or even a prison sentence.
“You could also see you e-scooter or e-bike permanently confiscated.”
The Attorney General has also issued guidance to police covering a range of options for dealing with offenders – from police cautions for minor matters, to charging and prosecuting in court for more serious cases.
Inspector Lawrence Courtness, who is the States of Jersey Police’s Roads Policing lead, added: “The updated guidance is a timely reminder that the use of e-scooters on the road is illegal, and they can only be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission.
“E-scooters are also prohibited from being used on cycle tracks, cycle lanes on roads, or other spaces dedicated to pedal cycle use only.
“This is because e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles and are therefore subject to the same laws and regulations.
“People who purchase and ride an e-scooter in public may not realise they are committing various offences and could risk fines and or the loss of their driving license.”
The warning comes after a number of more serious incidents in recent years which have led to injuries.
Last summer, two young e-scooter riders – a 12-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man – ended up in hospital with head injuries following separate collisions, which took place within 48 hours of each other.
Meanwhile, Sarah Highfield suffered a broken leg when she was hit by an e-scooter in May 2023 when 25-year-old Toby Woolley collided with her.
Following her injury, she told Express at the time that she wanted more islanders to realise how dangerous e-scooters can be – describing them as “powerful machines that fall outside of the law”.
“Because they are illegal on public roads, they are completely unregulated, with no apparent need for lights, helmets, insurance or abiding by a speed limit,” she said.
She said: “It seems to me that the law needs to catch up, and fast.”
That stance was backed by Advocate George Pearce, of BCR Law, who said the island has an “absurd” legal position when it comes to e-scooter use – and it is in urgent need of sorting for the safety of all road users.
Following the July 2024 incident, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan pledged that legislation for e-scooters would be discussed by Ministers – though no legislation has been proposed since then.
In the absence of legislation, some islanders – including several owners of businesses operating on promenades – suggested that alternative actions could be taken.
Havre des Pas-based Good Egg café owner Kate Mills previously told Express she wanted the Government to set up official signs to urge e-scooters and e-cyclists to slow down or to dismount after the notices she put up were largely ignored.
Meanwhile, recently published stats have shown that as many as one in six households in Jersey own an electric bike or e-scooter.