<p>On 30 June 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rental-e-scooter-trials-to-be-allowed-from-this-weekend">announced</a> that rental electric scooters would be available for the first time in the UK as part of the government’s effort to support a ‘green’ restart of local transport following the easing of lockdown measures. </p><p>‘E-scooters’ are now being introduced as part of a 12-month trial to test the impacts they have on traffic, safety and the use of public space in local areas. Given the potential for e-scooters to provide a means of socially distanced travel and reduce the number of passengers making use of public transport, this trial has been <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking">fast-tracked and expanded</a> to all local areas in England, Scotland and Wales.</p><p><a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/663/made">Legislative changes</a> which came into force on 4 July 2020 allow rental e-scooters to be driven on cycle lanes, and DfT expects trials to begin by August 2020. The use of private e-scooters remains illegal.</p><p> </p><h2>Background to the trial </h2><p>From 16 March to 3 July 2020, the government held a <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-transport-regulatory-review-call-for-evidence-on-micromobility-vehicles-flexible-bus-services-and-mobility-as-a-service">call for evidence</a> as part of the DfT’s <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/846593/future-of-mobility-strategy.pdf">Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy</a>, which laid out the government’s principle-based approach to innovating the transport sector. The call for evidence asked, among other things, for respondent’s views on the regulation of micromobility vehicles (which includes e-scooters). </p><p>Micromobility vehicles were proposed as a way to replace short car journeys and provide alternative mobility in areas with limited public transport. They can act as ‘first/last-mile’ transport options between parking spots and final destinations, or homes and transport hubs. DfT also discussed the potential benefit of e-scooters providing inclusive and environmentally-friendly modes of transport, while reducing road congestion.</p><p> </p><h2>E-scooters and the environment </h2><p>One of the governing principles of the DfT’s <a data-sf-ec-immutable="" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/846593/future-of-mobility-strategy.pdf">Urban Strategy</a> is the requirement that new mobility services ‘lead the transition to zero emissions’. This is in line with the government’s </p>
Source: LexisNexis Purpose Built
The trial of e-scooters
