Ministers have issued an update in Parliament
Ministers have published an update regarding changes to legal restrictions on vehicles. The Government has set out a date for later this year as part of an ongoing initiative.
The statement followed a written parliamentary question from Labour MP Tahir Ali. He enquired about what Government measures there are “to raise awareness of the risk of severe injury from using e-scooters” and what discussions have taken place about “reducing accidents involving e-scooters”.
Current legislation prohibits riding a privately owned e-scooter on public roads or pavements. However, a trial programme is currently in operation allowing people to hire and ride e-scooters in public from registered rental firms. This is operating in selected areas across the UK.
Rental e-scooters can be used on roads and cycle lanes, but remain banned from pavements. Health and social care minister Sharon Hodgson provided the Government’s response.
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A safety-first approach
She said: “The Department for Transport continues to assess the safety impacts of e‐scooters through the rental trials and will share these findings in due course. All vehicles carry inherent safety risks, and we have taken a safety‐first approach by running controlled trials before permitting widespread use.”
She also revealed some forthcoming dates concerning the rental trials. Ms Hodgson said: “The second national evaluation of the trials, due to conclude this summer, will provide an updated casualty rate and further evidence to inform decisions on future regulation.
“The Department of Health and Social Care contributes a public health perspective to this work, including consideration of injury prevention and health impacts.” Nevertheless, she emphasised that current legislation remains unambiguous.
A matter for the police
The minister said: “In the meantime, private e‐scooters remain illegal for use on public roads, and enforcement is a matter for the police.”
Those caught unlawfully using an e-scooter face potential fines and penalty points on their driving licence. Police also have the authority to confiscate the vehicle.
To hire an e-scooter, you must have either a full or provisional UK driving licence. Provisional licence holders are not required to display L plates while riding an e-scooter.
Third-party motor insurance for the vehicle is provided by the rental firm.
