Trials of rental e-scooters, which began in 2020, are being extended until 2028, the Government has announced.
Taking to X, Simon Lightwood MP, minister for local travel, said the trials would also be expanded to new towns “to learn how best to regulate them”.
The rental e-scooter trials launched in July 2020 and were initially intended to run until November 2021. Before today’s announcement, they had already been extended four times, and were due to finish in May 2026.
The fifth extension enables them to run until the end of May 2028, with the DfT saying the extra two years will help fill evidence gaps and gather new learning around:
- e-scooter safety
- the impact of local area characteristics
- how e-scooters contribute to meeting new Government missions
This will ensure it has the best possible evidence base to inform how to legislate, it adds.
In December 2022, the first national evaluation of the e-scooter trials was published.
A second national evaluation of the trials is now underway and is due to conclude in 2026.
Private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads.
Meanwhile lack of regulation means these devices continue to be used daily and adding to motorcycle casualty statistics as they don’t fit anywhere else leading to a false impression of bonafide motorcycle use safety. Riders bypass CBT requirements, wear nothing but a balaclava for protection, and bypass MOT, insurance, registration and tax requirements leading to them being ridden with immunity.
The Government can do better, should have sorted this out in Summer 2020 when we were told to get back to work and keep your distance.
Legislation is child’s play.
– limited to 15.5mph, cycle rules
– over 15.5mph, motorcycle rules
– throw in some construction and use rules to ensure build quality and we’re done.
Graham Graham, Reading
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