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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sian Traynor

Disabled Edinburgh man charged by police for riding electric scooter on pavement

A disabled man in Edinburgh was charged by police after using an electric scooter to get around.

Chris Osborne suffers from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which causes painful swelling in the legs as well as having an effect on energy and mobility.

To travel around easier, Chris, 43 was riding an electric scooter at 4mph when police pulled him over in Morningside on July 11.

Officers then told Chris he was breaking the law and charged him with using a motor vehicle on a pavement, as well as driving with out a license or insurance, reports the Daily Record.

Until very recently, the use of privately owned e-scooters was banned but it was legal to own one.

However, this ruling changed on July 4, making it legal to use on in public as long as a provisional license and insurance from the hire company was provided.

For Chris, the £400 scooter he bought around 18 months ago has given him a 'better quality of life' and was shocked that a license is needed to travel at such a slow speed.

He said: “I understand the need for laws but people with mobility issues rely on their scooters.

“I don’t think it’s fair that these scooters are being classed as motor vehicles, yet cycles go faster.

“I’m now waiting on the procurator fiscal to see if they want to proceed.

"It is shocking, I have been using my e-scooter for 18 months and whenever I use it on the pavement it's when there is no-one else there.

"People with mobility issues rely on their scooters, and it seems a bit harsh to charge them for using them.

"I wasn't even aware you needed to have a licence. Since I have had it, it has made a big impact on my life, it has made going to the shops easier. Most people haven't got access to private land to use them on.

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"I've never had a driving licence, I've had provisional ones but they have expired."

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "While we had been consulted and responded on proposed changes, the sudden decision on the imminent introduction of e-scooters was taken by the UK Government alone and without informing the Scottish Government in advance.

"We note that as the popularity and prevalence of e-scooters and other forms of micro-mobility increases globally, roads authorities will be keen to understand trends across a range of issues, including the safety of both the user of the scooter and other road users."

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