Amazon sells electric scooters as the “ideal” and “perfect” way to commute, despite the fact that they are illegal to drive on roads.
Daily Mail’s audit revealed that buyers were being encouraged by some retailers to violate the law using images of riders on public roads.
An e-scooter for sale says it is ‘the perfect scooter in commuting’, due to the long range it has between charges. A second model claims it is ‘ideal for travel and commuting’ as it can fold up easily for storage.
This has triggered a fierce backlash from MPs, campaigners and others calling for ministers to crack down on the rogue retailers as well as fast track legislation to govern the device’s use to make roads safer.
Amazon is selling electric scooters as the “ideal” and “perfect” way to get to school or work, despite the fact that they are illegal to use on roads. Daily Mail’s audit revealed that sellers encourage buyers to ignore the law, using images of riders on public roads. (File image)
Peter Bone, Tory MP for Wellingborough said Amazon encourages people “to break the law”. Peter Bone said that he had not received a single letter from anyone in his district stating they thought Amazon was a good idea.
It is illegal to drive e-scooters that have been hired as part of trials supported by the government in over 50 towns and cities.
Although retailers are legally required to disclose ‘clear information” warning that escooters may be illegal on public roads by law, the majority of amazon.co.uk users don’t see such disclaimers.
A small number of people have placed the information at bottom of web page, so buyers could easily overlook it.
Halfords however states on their website that it is illegal for e-scooters to be on the road.
There has been an increase in the number of ambulance callouts for incidents involving these devices.
Until at least next summer, ministers won’t decide whether or not to allow privately-owned devices onto the roads.
Campaigners argue that it needs to be quickly enacted because this legislation may require a driver’s license.
Peter Bone from the Tory Party MP for Wellingborough said Amazon encourages people “to break the law”.
He stated that no one in his community had written to him saying that they are a good idea.
He added that “most people consider them dangerous” and suggested there was a suspicion they were being used for drug dealing.
Simon Foster, Police and Crime Commissioner in the West Midlands, wrote to Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, requesting that ministers ban the sale of e-scooters until they can be legally used on roads.
Amazon spokesmen stated that the company takes safety seriously.
We wrote last year to vendors and sellers asking for them to delete any mention of the products being used on streets or public roads.
Spokesman for the Department for Transport said that ministers recently wrote to retailers reminding them of where e-scooters can be found and not allowed to be used.