The confusion over the use of micro scooters continued yesterday, with the authorised officer for local wardens saying that no action can be taken against riders in spite of a statement by the Transport Authority (ADT) on Wednesday that it is illegal to ride the scooters in a public place.

The ADT said that micro scooters and go-peds had not been issued with a road licence because of safety concerns and that anyone found riding one risked having the vehicle "removed".

However, authorised officer David Soler said that at present wardens could only issue tickets for delegated offences, and so far there was no reference in these to mini-scooters.

He explained that only once local councils approved a specific bylaw would wardens be able to take action against scooter riders.

Mr Soler said he had notified wardens to inform scooter-riders that they were committing an offence. Should the riders persist in breaking the law, the wardens have been instructed to take an offender's particulars and report to the police.

Scooter-riders have accused the ADT of generalising and argued that action should only be taken against those who did not abide by road regulations.

But the ADT's statement was welcomed by many drivers and pedestrians who believe that the micro scooters, capable of doing 25 km per hour and fast catching on in popularity, are a hazard.

Although ADT chief executive Mario Falzon insisted that the use of scooters on roads and pavements was not permitted, he fell short of saying that their importation was illegal because they could still be used in limited areas.

Mr Falzon said the scooters in question were labelled as "toys" and were not built for the road. He said that even the overseas manufacturers had confirmed that the "vehicles" were only for off-road use.

"Yes we do encourage a cleaner way of travelling, but they are toys, for heaven's sake. The frame of a bicycle or a small motorcycle is tough enough to withstand road conditions. The frame of scooters is not, and it can easily split in two," he said.

Mr Falzon said the authority could not afford to wait for an accident to happen before taking action. In fact, in the UK, a number of cities had banned the scooters from the road.

He said the matter had been discussed with the police last week, though Monday's report in The Times on the subject had speeded up the need to clarify the situation.

Mr Falzon said he could not state whether the scooter-owners had in any way been misguided by the sellers, adding if any riders felt aggrieved by the sale they should take it up with the Consumer Division.

Sliema mayor Albert Bonello Dupuis welcomed the news that scooters would not be allowed on the streets and promenades, especially after a number of minor accidents had taken place on the Sliema promenade in the last couple of weeks.

Mr Bonello Dupuis said he would be taking prompt action with the police and the wardens to ensure action was taken against users.

Some irate scooter owners called The Times yesterday to criticise the ADT's ruling.

A 40-year old woman from Birzebbuga said the ADT had taken the easy way out rather than punishing offenders on the spot.

She said the "nightmare" parking situation in Birzebbuga had prompted her husband to buy a scooter to do errands around the village.

"He never zig-zagged across the round, and he never buzzed down the sidewalk. He used to drive it prudently by the side of the road. Is there anything illegal about that?"

The woman said her husband now had no option but to take to his car, pollute the air and create more traffic in the process.

Another scooter-user from San Gwann asked whether bicycles would now also require a licence.

The 34-year-old said that instead of imposing a legal age to ride the scooter and rather than promote an alternative means of transport, the authorities had further encouraged car use.

"It's so unfair that they have come up with a blanket policy against them rather than penalise wrong-doers," he said.