Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rental electric scooters to be legal on roads for 15mph trials

Government says trials will assess safety and effect on transport network

Peter Stubley
Tuesday 30 June 2020 23:33 BST
Comments
A rental e-scooter in Paris
A rental e-scooter in Paris (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rental electric scooters will become legal on Britain’s roads from Saturday after the government gave the go-ahead for 12-month trials.

The first pilot schemes could launch next week and will test whether the vehicles can provide “green alternative” to local travel, according to the Department of Transport.

Riders must be aged at least 16 and will need a full or provisional car, motorcycle or moped licence.

The e-scooters will be limited to a speed of 15.5mph and cannot be used on pavements. However the trials do not include Northern Ireland.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “As we emerge from lockdown, we have a unique opportunity in transport to build back in a greener, more sustainable way, which could lead to cleaner air and healthier communities across Great Britain.

“E-scooters may offer the potential for convenient, clean and cost-effective travel that may also help ease the burden on the transport network, provide another green alternative to get around and allow for social distancing.

“The trials will allow us to test whether they do these things.”

E-scooters are currently banned in the UK on public roads and pavements but the vehicles have become increasingly popular. The Metropolitan Police caught nearly 100 riders in London in a single week last summer.

YouTube star and TV presenter Emily Hartridge became the first person in the UK to be killed while riding an e-scooter when she was struck by a lorry in Battersea, south London, in July last year.

Campaigners have described the road ban as “outdated” and claim that the vehicles offer an environmentally friendly alternative to cars.

Alan Clarke, director of UK policy and government affairs at US scooter rental firm Lime, said: “Today’s announcement that the UK is embracing micromobility, with trials of e-scooters now able to begin, presents a real opportunity for change.

“E-scooters have been commonplace on roads and in cities across Europe for some time and Lime users around the world have already taken more than 150 million rides, saving more than 12,000 tonnes of CO2, whilst helping to reduce congestion and air pollution.

“Over the coming days, weeks and months as trials start, we’re looking forward to building healthier, greener and safer cities across the UK.”

While the the use of private e-scooters on public roads will remain banned, the government said the rental trials would “create the evidence necessary to guide final decisions about whether and – if so – how to fully legalise e-scooters.”

Additional reporting by Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in