The lawyer of “Mr. Loophole calls on the government to criminalize riding scooters on sidewalks

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Nick Freeman, nicknamed Mr Loophole for discouraging celebrity clients from riding offenses over legal formalities, called for the ban as ministers unveiled their proposed overhaul of scooter regulations

Britain’s top motoring advocate wants driving scooters on pavements to be a criminal offense as part of a government reorganization.

Nick Freeman, nicknamed Mr Loophole for discouraging celebrity clients from riding offenses over legal formalities, called for the ban as ministers unveiled their proposed overhaul of scooter rules.

He said: “E-scooters are clearly here to stay.

“But to legalize them, the government needs tough laws – otherwise we could have carnage both on our sidewalks and on our streets.”

Currently, scooters may only be ridden on private property, and using them on public roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks is against the law.

However, a proposed transportation law is expected to allow for their widespread use as an environmentally friendly alternative to cars.

In the Queen’s speech for the absent monarch last month, Prince Charles said: “My government will improve transport across the UK, provide safer, cleaner services and enable more innovation.”

Mr Freeman hoped the legislation would include a ban on pavement driving.

“Riding an e-scooter on the sidewalk is like driving the wrong way on the freeway – it’s insane,” he warned.

“If the government is to advance its agenda to expand the use of e-scooters, it is crucial that they make this change in the law.

“In addition, harsh penalties for use on sidewalks would help combat e-scooter crime such as pickpocketing.”

He claimed scooters might need license plates – and cameras would be needed to monitor roads to catch renegade drivers.

“If e-scooters are to be legalized, we need a road-like system with cameras on sidewalks to capture criminal license plates,” he said.

“Then, as a registered keeper, they would be notified in the same way as a driver would be, say, speeding.

“If they don’t comply with the request, they get six points and even a discretionary lock.”