E-scooters set to be trialled in the UK for the first time

As part of a call for evidence to plan a “transport revolution”, the UK government has announced that it is consulting on the use of e-scooters and the impact they may have on UK transport as the micromobility vehicles receive approval for trialling in “future transport zones” by the Department for Transport.

The review includes exploration of minimum age and vehicle standards, insurance requirements as well as if local authorities should have extra powers to manage the impacts of e-scooters on public space, such as parking restrictions.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “We are on the cusp of a transport revolution. Emerging technologies are ripping up the rulebook and changing the way people and goods move forever.

“Our groundbreaking future of transport programme marks the biggest review of transport laws in a generation and will pave the way for exciting new transport technology to be tested, cementing the UK’s position as a world-leading innovator.

“This review will ensure we understand the potential impacts of a wide range of new transport modes such as e-scooters, helping to properly inform any decisions on legalisation. Funding these new zones across the country will also help us safely test innovative ways to get around, creating a greener future transport system for us all.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and COP26 President, Alok Sharma, said: “Decarbonising transport is key to ending our contribution to climate change. This review could drive down transport emissions by making greener ways to travel available to more people. Future Transport Zones will also help to spur low carbon innovation by providing our best and brightest researchers with testing facilities for the clean transport technologies of the future.”