An investigation by Edinburgh Live shows that capital locals are continuing to ride e-scooters along pavements and busy public places despite it being illegal.
While e-scooters can be bought and sold in Scotland, police have warned that it is illegal to ride them in any public place across the UK.
Footage shot on the capital's streets shows multiple e-scooter riders zooming past pedestrians in contravention of the law.
One frustrated Leith resident commented on the problem saying: "It's ridiculous, they're not supposed to be on the pavement but you see them all the time and on the road too.
“Leith Walk is so cluttered at the moment with the tram works.
“You've got pedestrians, cyclists and now e-scooters all competing for the space trying to squeeze past seating areas for pubs and cafes which are trying to do what they can to survive."
It comes as Police Scotland released a statement warning that it’s against the law to ride a privately owned e-sooter, including on "roads, pavements, parks, town centres or promenades."
They said: "The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land with the agreement of the landowner. "
E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) which means that they are treated the same way as motor vehicles and therefore riders must ensure that they have valid insurance and a driving licence.
Police Scotland was also forced to issue a warning last year to anyone considering buying their loved one an e-scooter for Christmas.
Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, Deputy Head of Road Policing, Police Scotland said:
“We understand that e-scooters are a tempting option for Christmas presents this year, but we would urge people to fully understand the law and the implications of using an e-scooter on a road or other public place.
“The safety of all road users is our priority and the last thing we want to do is to ruin a Christmas by reporting them to the courts and taking away a much-loved and expensive Christmas gift.”
Those who are caught riding an e-scooter in a public place risk a £300 fine, six penalty points on their driving licence and an additional fine if they don’t have insurance.
