Beatrice Lang
Electric scooters, or e-scooters, are a popular mode of transport that has sparked a lot of debate. While they are seen as a cleaner, low-carbon alternative to cars and buses, their use on public roads, cycle paths, and pavements has been a subject of discussion and regulation. In this paragraph, we will explore the current laws and trials surrounding the use of e-scooters on cycle paths and the potential impact on transport choices and congestion in the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of using privately-owned e-scooters on public land | Illegal |
| Legality of using rented e-scooters on public land | Legal in some areas as part of government trial schemes |
| E-scooter classification | "Powered transporters" or "motor vehicles" |
| Legality of using e-scooters on cycle paths | Legal in some areas as part of government trial schemes |
| Legality of using e-scooters on pavements | Illegal |
| E-scooter sales | Increasing in the UK |
| E-scooter use | Increasing in the UK |
| E-scooter use on the National Cycle Network | Not permitted on paths owned or managed by Sustrans without express permission |
| E-scooter use on the National Cycle Network | At the discretion of individual landowners on paths not owned or managed by Sustrans |
| E-scooter use on roads | Legal in some areas as part of government trial schemes |
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What You'll Learn
- E-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads, cycle paths, and pavements in the UK
- The UK government launched e-scooter trials in 2020, legalising approved e-scooter rental schemes
- Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a £2 billion investment in green travel solutions, including e-scooters
- E-scooters are considered a significant risk on off-road National Cycle Network surfaces
- Lobby groups are pushing to make e-scooters legal, claiming they will help cut congestion and pollution
E-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads, cycle paths, and pavements in the UK
The use of e-scooters on public roads, cycle paths, and pavements in the UK is currently prohibited. The sale of e-scooters is legal, but their use on public land is not. The Department for Transport (DfT) classifies e-scooters as "powered transporters," and using them on public roads, cycle paths, or pavements can result in prosecution.
Despite this, sales of e-scooters have been increasing rapidly in the UK, and their presence on roads, pavements, and cycling infrastructure, particularly in cities, is becoming more common. The UK government launched e-scooter trials in July 2020, legalising approved e-scooter rental schemes and allowing their use on public roads and in cycle lanes, provided certain technical requirements are met and users have a valid UK driver's license.
The trials were initially set to end in November 2021 but have been extended multiple times, with the latest extension set to expire in May 2024. These trials aim to gather data on the safety and feasibility of legalising e-scooters as a mode of transport, addressing concerns and making a well-informed decision. The trials have been expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as e-scooters are seen as a safer alternative to public transportation.
While the future of e-scooters in the UK is uncertain, there is a growing push to allow their use on public roads and in urban areas, especially with the increasing popularity of e-scooters as a greener and more affordable transportation option. However, it is essential to prioritise active or partially active modes of travel, such as walking, wheeling, and cycling, over e-scooters.
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The UK government launched e-scooter trials in 2020, legalising approved e-scooter rental schemes
As part of the conditions for these trials, e-scooters must meet specific technical requirements, and users must have a provisional or full UK driving license. E-scooters from these rental schemes can be used on roads and cycle lanes but not on motorways or pavements. It is important to note that these trials only apply to e-scooters hired from specific providers, and users must adhere to speed limits and other rules.
While the sale of e-scooters is legal in the UK, using a privately-owned e-scooter on public land, including roads, cycle paths, and pavements, remains illegal and can lead to prosecution. However, they can be used on private property with the landowner's permission.
The UK government is considering the wider impacts of e-scooters to ensure their safe and effective integration into transport networks. The government aims to create a regulatory framework for smaller, zero-emission vehicles like e-scooters, defining how they can be safely legalised. This includes addressing safety concerns and working towards reducing accidents.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a £2 billion investment in green travel solutions, including e-scooters
The UK government has been running trials of electric scooters in several towns and cities across the country, including Cambridge, Liverpool, and Newcastle. These trials were brought forward by a year to start in 2020 to encourage people to leave their cars at home and opt for greener alternatives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trials are being used to assess the benefits of e-scooters, as well as their impact on public space, with the potential for rental vehicles to be on UK roads as early as June.
While the sale of e-scooters is legal in the UK, their use on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes, and paths is not. However, e-scooters from approved rental schemes can be used on public roads and cycle lanes as long as certain conditions are met. These conditions include speed limits, having a UK driving license, and not using a mobile phone while riding.
Despite the current restrictions, the use of e-scooters is increasing in the UK, and there is pressure to change the rules. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested that e-scooters could become legal on Britain's roads, with proper regulation in place to address safety concerns. Shapps has also indicated a desire to crack down on the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters, with potential plans to hold retailers responsible for the types of models they sell.
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E-scooters are considered a significant risk on off-road National Cycle Network surfaces
As the custodian of the National Cycle Network, Sustrans has noted that some of the Network's off-road surfaces are not suitable for the very small wheels typical of some e-scooters. E-scooters have been identified as a significant risk factor on these surfaces. The small wheels of e-scooters can be a safety hazard on certain off-road surfaces, increasing the risk of stability loss and making it difficult to navigate rough terrain.
E-scooter users may also present a risk to other path users, especially on busy sections of the National Cycle Network. This is particularly true for vulnerable users, such as disabled people, older individuals, and children. The presence of e-scooters on these paths can increase the risk of collisions and impact the overall safety of shared paths.
In addition to safety concerns, the use of e-scooters on off-road National Cycle Network surfaces can also impact the environment. E-scooters, with their electric motors and batteries, fall under the category of powered transporters. While they offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional motor vehicles, their impact on the natural environment of off-road paths cannot be overlooked.
Sustrans' position is that e-scooters are not permitted on the off-road National Cycle Network that they own or manage without express permission on a case-by-case basis. This policy applies to both privately owned and hired e-scooters. Sustrans aims to prioritize active or partially active modes of transportation, such as walking, wheeling, and cycling, over e-scooters. However, they recognize the potential benefits of e-scooters in reducing pollution and congestion in urban areas.
To summarize, e-scooters are considered a significant risk on off-road National Cycle Network surfaces due to safety concerns for both e-scooter users and other path users, as well as potential environmental impacts. While e-scooters can play a positive role in urban transportation, their use on certain off-road paths may not be suitable or safe for all users.
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Lobby groups are pushing to make e-scooters legal, claiming they will help cut congestion and pollution
Lobby groups are advocating for the legalisation of e-scooters, citing their potential to reduce congestion and pollution. This push comes as e-scooter sales and use rapidly increase in the UK, despite their current illegal status on public roads, cycle paths, and pavements. The London Cycle Campaign (LCC) supports the legalisation, stating that e-scooters offer a "cleaner, low-carbon alternative to cars and buses for those who can't or don't want to cycle."
The potential benefits of e-scooters are twofold: reducing congestion and improving air quality. By providing a convenient mode of transportation, e-scooters could encourage commuters to opt for them instead of cars, thereby reducing traffic congestion. Additionally, with their electric power source, e-scooters emit zero carbon emissions, contributing to improved air quality in urban areas.
However, it's important to consider the concerns raised by critics. One worry is that e-scooters may not replace car journeys but rather those that would have been walked, cycled, or taken by public transportation. This shift could negate the intended congestion relief and potentially have negative health impacts by reducing physical activity.
Safety is another critical factor in the e-scooter legalisation debate. Some view e-scooters as potentially dangerous, particularly when sharing road space with other motor vehicles or when used by intoxicated individuals. In the three years between 2020 and 2023, police in NSW, Australia, received 124 reports of e-scooter crashes, resulting in three deaths and 116 injuries, 40 of which were serious.
Despite these concerns, governments in the UK and Australia are exploring the legalisation and regulation of e-scooters. The UK government has fast-tracked trials of e-scooters, aiming to gather data to inform future policy decisions. Similarly, Transport NSW is pushing to legalise and regulate e-scooters to address road congestion. The outcome of these efforts will significantly impact the accessibility and utilisation of e-scooters in these regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric scooters are currently only permitted on cycle paths in certain UK cities or towns as part of a Government trial. In these areas, they can be used on cycle paths and roads, but not on pedestrian pavements.
The trial schemes are taking place in specific cities or towns across the UK, including Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Newcastle, and Sunderland.
The UK government is planning to legalise the use of privately-owned electric scooters, but it is unclear whether they will be allowed on cycle paths. Transport minister Baroness Vere has said that the government intends to create a new regulatory category for "smaller, lighter, zero-emission vehicles", which would be independent from the cycle and motor vehicle categories.
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