In the UK, it is illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters on roads and pavements. In this instance, Ramin Jabbari, 31, was carrying his dog while riding his e-scooter through Hyde Park, central London, on Boxing Day. He was stopped by the Royal Parks police.
A police spokesman said: “The rider of an e-scooter came off in Hyde Park. He had been drinking and was carrying his dog. The dog suffered a broken leg. The rider was arrested [for] drink-driving and the dog was taken to the vet. The rider was charged with drink-driving and having no insurance. The dog is recovering.”
Riders of e-scooters are at risk of a £300 fixed penalty notice and 6 points on their driving licence if they are stopped by police in breach of the regulations. With reference to rental e-scooters there will be other rules which are being trialled in specified areas.
Jabbari lives in Camden, north London and is scheduled to appear before magistrates on January 11 for the charges specified.
Comment: it’s a warning that in the UK there are heavy restrictions on using e-scooters. The government has yet to sort them out as to where they can be driven legally because the restrictions are so heavy as to make then all but useless as a means of general transport e.g. to work. To carry your dog while driving illegally is irresponsible and seriously jeopardises the dog’s welfare.
