Giving way when you ride an e-scooter
You can use an e-scooter anywhere where you may ride a bicycle. Whether you are required to give way depends on where you are riding.
​Being required to give way means that you have to give way or stop until vehicles crossing your direction of travel have passed. If you are uncertain whether you are required to give way, the safest thing is to slow down or stop completely.
Riding in the roadway or in the cycle lane
If you ride in the roadway or in a cycle lane, you must observe the rules that apply to vehicles. This means that you must give way
- to vehicles coming from your right (right hand rule)
- to all vehicles when you are entering a priority road (there will be a give-way sign)
- to oncoming vehicles on your right when you are turning left
- to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings
Are you uncertain whether the driver has seen you and is going to stop? Slow down and be prepared.
Riding on a cycle path, pedestrian and cycle path, or pavement
When you ride on a cycle path, pedestrian and cycle path, or pavement, you must follow the rules that apply to vehicles. This means that you must give way to all traffic if you are going to cross the road or are going to turn and enter another road.
Other rules for giving way when riding on a cycle path, pedestrian and cycle path, or pavement
You are not required to give way to those who are driving into or out from an entrance or exit driveway.
If you dismount your vehicle and wheel it across the pedestrian crossing, cars are required to give way to you.
Other rules for giving way
Traffic lights
When you encounter traffic lights at an intersection, you must follow the traffic light signal that applies to the lane you are in. If the traffic lights are out of service (yellow flashing light or no light signal), the give-way sign will apply where such is in place, or otherwise the right hand rule will apply.
Changing lanes
You are required to give way to vehicles in the lane you intend to enter or cross. You are also required to give way when you are entering the road from the roadside or the road shoulder.
Riding in roundabouts
When you ride into a roundabout, you must give way to vehicles that are in the roundabout. If you are changing lanes inside the roundabout, you are required to give way to vehicles in the lane you want to enter.
Overtaking or passing others
As a general rule, overtaking must take place on the left. When you ride an e-scooter, you may overtake another vehicle – but not a cyclist or another e-scooter – on the right. Overtaking on the right side may be relevant past vehicles at a standstill or slow-moving queues.