UK Retailers Rewrite E-scooter Ads After PA Finds Illegal Road-Use Claims at 3 Major Chains
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 30
UK Retailers Rewrite E-scooter Ads After PA Finds Illegal Road-Use Claims at 3 Major Chains
1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 30
Summary
Amazon, Argos and Currys changed e-scooter listings after a Press Association investigation found they were advertising products for commuting or city riding, even though privately owned e-scooters cannot legally be used on UK roads or pavements.
UK law allows only rented e-scooters on roads, cycle paths and in parks; private models are limited to private land with permission, and riders can face fines or licence points for breaking the rules.
Argos said it updated wording, Amazon cited rules banning road-use imagery and requiring legal warnings, and Currys said it was reviewing listings after removing language describing scooters as a way to get around locally.
Smaller retailers still appeared to market e-scooters for urban travel without warnings, despite ASA guidance that legal disclaimers are insufficient if ads still imply the vehicles can be used anywhere.
Government estimates put privately owned e-scooters in the UK at up to 1.2 million, and official 2025 data recorded 10 deaths and 485 serious injuries in e-scooter collisions.