Milton Keynes could become ‘testbed’ for public e-scooters

The Milton Keynes council has been in discussion with the Department for Transport (DfT) about becoming a ‘testbed’ for UK e-scooter usage in public places.

E-scooters are legally used in more than 100 cities worldwide, but electric scooters are currently banned from public roads and pavements in the UK. It is only legal to ride e-scooters on private land with the permission of the landowner.

However, a council report into smart, shared and sustainable mobility said: “Milton Keynes Council and Department for Transport are exploring the possibility of Milton Keynes becoming a micromobility testbed for e-scooters.

“This will require a change in regulations on the public use of e-scooters and this is currently being investigated.”

The DfT have highlighted that safety is the focus of roads laws, and people who use e-scooters need to be aware it is currently illegal to ride them on the road and the pavement, despite the Milton Keynes discussion.

The government is considering the use of e-scooters and e-skateboards as part of the regulatory review, and it is examining safe regulation as well as best methods of integration.

A spokesman for Milton Keynes Council said: “As a growing city, we are committed to bringing new and innovative transport solutions to Milton Keynes.

“We want to set the standard of how to provide a safe modern, efficient and well-run transport system based on new technologies that meet demand.”