WHERE TO BUY E-SCOOTERS IN LEEDS
Written by Ed Wiles, Scootered Founder
Key Points
What is an e-scooter?
E-scooters, such as those in the new Xiaomi range , are personal transporters suitable for teenagers and adults. They came to prominence in North America and then Europe when scooter hire companies Bird and Lime put thousands of them on the streets of cities across those two continents. They remain controversial in the UK (as of May 2021) due to not being legal to ride on public roads (unless hired). However, as with the vast majority of police forces, West Yorkshire police took very little action against e-scooter riders in 2019 and 2020, so it seems you can ride an e-scooter around Leeds without issue. Leeds is also within one of the proposed Future Mobility Zones, where the government will be trialling new forms of transport, including e-scooters.
Where to buy e-scooters in Leeds?
At the time of writing, there are very few bricks and mortar stores selling electric scooters in Leeds (or anywhere else in West Yorkshire). Even Halfords on Meadow Lane do not have any on display (and few in stock). Skuda in Hyde Park mostly sell hoverboards but plan to sell their own scooter. The other option for Leeds residents looking to buy an electric scooter is to buy from an online retailer like Scootered (we are based in the southeast but I lived in Leeds for many years and wish I had a scooter for going up and down Headingly Lane/Otley Road). Of course, you may wish to see or try out an e-scooter before buying one and, as this is not currently possible in Leeds, you may want to consider visiting London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Bird is hiring them in London, using the Xiaomi M365, and charging £1 to unlock them.
Why Buy From Scootered?
Scootered was founded in 2019 with the aim of offering the best e-scooters at the best prices with a reassuring two-year, UK-based warranty. The southeast has been our biggest market but there is no reason why residents (and students) in Leeds should not benefit from our discounted scooters too. Of course, if you are buying online you could argue that it does not matter where the company is based and this is essentially true: the most important things to bear in mind are where the stock is held (it is best if the stock is housed in the UK), the warranty offered with the e-scooter and that the company is UK registered (in case something goes wrong).
The Xiaomi 1S
Conclusion
Although more bricks and mortar stores selling electric scooters may pop up in Leeds when the law changes, it is also worth noting that High Streets are transforming across the country, including in Leeds, as consumers increasingly purchase goods online. The cost of renting a shop (plus the ridiculous business rates) means that bricks and mortar retailers are forced to sell at a higher price to cover their costs, which is why so many High Street retailers have struggled against e-tailers. This is why we believe you will struggle to find a better deal in Leeds for well-regarded electric scooters, such as the Xiaomi 1S or the Pro 2. Added to this, you have the peace of mind of dealing with a UK company offering full warranties.