Image: TfL
“With the right regulations that prioritise safety, rental e-scooters can help ensure a green, sustainable future for London.”
That’s the reaction of Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, to the news that the capital’s trial of rental e-scooters has been extended until May 2024.
The trial launched in June 2021 and is managed by TfL and London Councils.
At present, there are 10 boroughs participating, with 4,425 e-scooter vehicles available for hire, as well as more than 500 designated parking locations. Data shows that almost two million journeys have been made.
The trial was set to end in November – having already been extended earlier this year. However, TfL has confirmed its intentions to take advantage of recently updated DfT guidance, which allows local authority trials to continue until 31 May 2024.
TfL says doing so will ensure it can continue to learn about e-scooters and the role that they can play in London’s transport offer.
Will Norman said: “I’m pleased that TfL and London Councils have been able to extend the country’s largest rental e-scooter trial.
“The mayor and I are determined to continue building a cleaner, greener and more prosperous London for everyone, and e-scooters can play a useful role in our city’s transport network by offering alternatives to car use.”
A procurement for operators to run the next phase of London’s rental e-scooter trial has been launched and operators will be chosen on their ability to meet strict safety requirements and high operating standards, TfL says.
To ensure there is a continuation of service in London, the current trial contracts operated by Dott, Lime and TIER, which expire this year, will be extended temporarily until the procurement is complete.
Throughout the extended trial, operators will continue to be required to provide data for TfL and the participating boroughs to understand the impact of e-scooters on London’s transport goals, including the Vision Zero aim to eliminate death and serious injuries from the capital’s roads.
Will Norman added: “The e-scooter trial has proven to be popular, with more than two million trips already taken, and this next phase of the trial will build upon this, replicating the high safety requirements and high operating standards, and continuing to learn through testing newer technology to ensure that these vehicles work for everybody.
“With the right regulations that prioritise safety, rental e-scooters can help ensure a green, sustainable future for London.”
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