Water bikes: New law prompts calls for rider licences
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:59 am
Campaigners have called for a licence requirement for water bike riders as new rules come in to curb irresponsible users.
The new law came into force on Friday as the UK government warned people "riding a jet ski recklessly or causing harm" faced fines or up to two years in prison.
It said the new law would crack down on dangerous use of water bikes.
But one MP says the new law does not go far enough.
Campaigners for water bike safety said it was that a child as young as 12 can legally drive a jet ski in the UK, whereas riders in countries like France, Spain, Croatia and Denmark must have a licence and be 16.
Watercraft users in the UK are now bound by the same laws that apply to ships, and give more powers to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to prosecuted irresponsible riders.
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