Transport for London and London Councils are seeking interest from operators to take part in the 12 month trial, which follows similar schemes in cities around the country including the first in Middlesbrough which launched in July.

The capital’s trial is likely to be the largest in the UK, with one third of boroughs having expressed their intention to take part initially. Between 60 and 150 e-scooters are likely to be deployed in participating boroughs and the vehicles will be permitted to move freely across a defined, geographically limited trial area in each.

“We’re determined to make sure that London recovers from Coronavirus as safely and sustainably as possible and are supportive of innovative solutions that could help,” said TfL’s director of transport innovation Michael Hurwitz.

“Safety will be our number one priority during this e-scooter rental trial, which will be critical to providing us with the data and insights we need to determine whether e-scooters are a viable part of a greener and healthier future for London.”

Operators demonstrating strong performance and safety compliance will be able to increase the number of scooters in their fleet over the course of the trial. They will also be required to share data to help TfL and the boroughs understand the impact of e-scooters on key transport policies around safety, sustainable travel and zero emission targets.

Boroughs will control parking locations for the rental e-scooters to protect against street clutter and will also be able to designate certain areas as ‘no go’ or ‘go slow’ locations, where the vehicles will automatically come to a halt or be limited to 8mph.

London Councils’ transport and environment committee chair Philip Glanville said:

“Running the trial safely is vital and operator performance will be regularly reviewed. All companies applying to join the trial will need to demonstrate they have plans in place to keep our streets clear and protect riders, pedestrians and other road users – including more vulnerable Londoners.

Shared transport group CoMoUK’s chief executive Richard Dilks welcomed London’s plans and said: “Early data from the existing trials elsewhere in England shows very strong levels of use.”

He added: “Shared transport must be at the heart of the decarbonisation agenda in the capital and right across the entire UK,” but called for greater co-ordination between transport authorities and operators.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People’s head of policy and public affairs Eleanor Thompson warned that e-scooters are fast moving and can be difficult for blind or partially sighted people to see and hear.

“Although we welcome TfL’s intention to keep e-scooters off the pavement, we have seen in other trials like Coventry that pavement riding does happen,” she said. “In fact, safety concerns have already meant pauses and halts to other trials.

“It’s essential all operators bidding to take part in the London scheme act on the advice for operators compiled by RNIB and other sight loss charities, and that throughout the roll out TfL takes steps to understand the effect of this scheme on disabled people so it can be properly evaluated at the end of the year.”

(Photography: Joaquin Corbalan P - Shutterstock)