As part of the government's push to encourage sustainable travel as the country recovers from the COVID-19 lockdown the Department for Transport are now bringing forward a consultation on e-scooters. Originally part of the wider consultation 'Future of Transport Regulatory Review' that is still on going and due on 3 July, DfT are now looking for views on e-scooters specifically by 2 June as they prepare for trails of rental e-scooter services in early June. 

For more information on the Future of Transport Regulatory Review please see here.

Although electric scooters are widely sold in the United Kingdom they are currently illegal to use on roads and pavements. The Department for Transport are however currently reviewing this legislation to investigate if and how they could be made legal and be introduced on UK roads. 

The consultation introduction states: 

E-scooters could be a fast and clean way to travel that eases the burden on the transport network and allows for social distancing. Before we can decide whether to fully legalise them and determine the rules that should apply, we need to understand their impacts. That means gathering evidence on their safety, how people use them, whether the potential benefits can be realised, and how to manage the downsides.

For the entire consultation and questions please see here. 

CIHT would like to hear your thoughts on e-scooters and if you have any comments you would like CIHT to consider in a response to the consultation please e-mail us at: technical@ciht.org.uk