E-scooter trials: The facts

How popular are the e-scooter trials?

The e-scooter trials have proven popular in the UK, leading to more than 30 locations extending the rental scheme to November 2022. While their green credentials have been praised, there is significant concern around the safety of e-scooters on the road. In fact, government figures show that there were 1,280 collisions involving e-scooters last year alone, compared to 484 the previous year.  

E-scooter supporters say that e-scooters give the public a cleaner more affordable travel option, and that people should be encouraged to use them for shorter trips. Others say that there simply aren't enough safety regulations in place for mass use.

With most people unclear on what the trials might mean for the future of their towns and cities, we've put together some information on exactly what the e-scooter trials mean for you. 

Are e-scooters currently legal on UK roads?

While it is legal to ride e scooters in the designated trial areas in the UK currently, it's not legal to ride your own personal e scooter on anything other than your own private property. To ride an e-scooter from the official trial, you also must have the category Q driving license entitlement.

With the government extending the UK e-scooter trial until November 2022, it looks as though e-scooters are going to be a permanent feature in our urban areas for a little while longer.

Where are the e-scooter trials?

The trials are now live in 31 regions across England, with no trials currently in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The trials are taking place in major urban areas in the UK, such as London, West Yorkshire, and the Southwest of England. The trials are run by several operators, including Ginger, Spin, Lime and Voi. Here are some of the major locations for the e-scooter trials:

• Middlesbrough
• Milton Keynes
• Hartlepool
• Northampton
• Birmingham
• Stafford
• Norwich
• Cheltenham

E-scooter trials London

The London e scooter rental trial is the largest in the UK, with over 3,500 e-scooters currently available for hire. According to the Londonist, the e-scooter trials are expected to continue to grow, with more than half a million trips having already occurred across the city.

While it is illegal to ride a personally owned e-scooter in London, operators Dott, Lime and TIER have made it very easy to get from A to B using the scheme. Since June 2021 e-scooters have been available to rent in several locations in London, including:

• Camden
• Ealing
• Hammersmith and Fulham
• Kensington and Chelsea
• Lambeth
• Richmond upon Thames

What do the public think of the e-scooter trials?

Looking to discover the nation's views and the safety of e-scooters, we commissioned an online Census survey of around 2,000 members of the public to see what their thoughts were.

We found that consumers would be encouraged to use e-scooters if more safety regulations were introduced. Here's what the UK public had to say:

• A third of Brits strongly believe that e-scooters are not safe on public roads and cause traffic accidents (35%)
• More than half of those surveyed in Wales say they aren't safe (68%)
• Nearly a third of the UK public believe there aren't enough safety precautions in place (32%)
• 54% would use an e-scooter if more safety rules are in place
• E scooters are deemed the most dangerous mode of transport on the road for car drivers (39%) and pedestrians (47%)

Will e-scooters become legal in the future?

The UK government recently announced that privately owned e-scooters will be legalised for use on public roads and cycle lanes as part of their upcoming Transport Bill. The Department for Transport says:

‘Safety is at the heart of our plans to create a regulatory framework for smaller, lighter, zero-emission vehicles, sometimes known as e-scooters. Their popularity is clear and new rules are needed to improve safety and crack down on illegal use whilst unlocking innovation and growth in this emerging multi-billion-pound industry.'

The popularity of the e-scooter trials has meant that more people have access to a cheaper, cleaner, greener mode of personal transportation. With the fast-approaching Net Zero deadlines, it's safe to say that e scooters are here to stay.

Are UK e-scooter accidents common?

The department for transport reported more than 1,300 electric scooter injuries, in 2021, as well as 9 fatalities. While there are several electric scooter safety guidelines in place, it seems that as the popularity of e-scooters grows, the rate of injuries and accidents are increasing.

Thankfully, there could be a number of new regulations and safety standards being put into place to mitigate the increase of injury and collision rates. Declaring the ongoing e-scooter trials a success, transport secretary Grant Shapps told MPs that new regulations will soon be introduced.

If you've had an e-scooter accident in Bristol, an e-scooter accident in London, or anywhere else in the UK, call us on for free advice to see if you are able to make a claim.