Mr Greig says a few millimetres is all it takes

Bruce Greig, boss of 0800handyman, in south London, says his workers were often fined for parking on footpaths.

He says tickets are issued if one or more wheels touches the path, so the stand raises the scooter off the ground.

Mr Greig successfully appealed against a fine from the Corporation of London, which would not comment on the case.

Mr Greig, who runs the company in Clapham, wants the law to change so scooters, like bicycles, can park on paths to encourage more users.

If local authorities persist in using parking laws to raise revenue, not to manage traffic, then people like me will persist in making their life as difficult as possible Bruce Greig, 0800Handyman

He acknowledges the scooters would need to be parked sensibly so as not to cause obstructions, but argues increased use would take pressure off public transport and ease congestion.

Mr Greig said: "It is clearly ludicrous that such a loophole exists - the law is very badly drafted.

"But if local authorities persist in using parking laws to raise revenue, not to manage traffic, then people like me will persist in making their life as difficult as possible.

"The wheels are only a few millimetres off the ground, but that's all it takes."

Patent application

He says there are not enough bays for scooters and existing allocations fill up early in the day.

A statement from the Corporation of London said: "All parking tickets in the City are issued in good faith and it is recipients' right to appeal any fines.

"If appeals are successful, we will of course abide by that decision."

Mr Greig has filed for a patent application for the stand.