E-scooters

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Apr 2020 Closed: 15 Jan 2021 Parliament page
E-scooters: pavement nuisance or transport innovation? The Transport Committee is launching an inquiry to explore the safety and legal implications of electric scooters, their impact on congestion, and potential contribution to reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, ahead of the Government’s obligations to reach net zero by 2050. The Transport … Read more
21 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
1 Letter
2 Events
Activity timeline 5 events
13 Apr
2021
Correspondence
14 Dec
2020
Report published
2 Oct
2020
Report published
15 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
1 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
15 Jul 2020
View on parliament.uk
Alan Clarke · Lime Anthony Ferguson · Department for Transport Emma Silver · Bird Rachel Maclean MP · Department for Transport Richard Corbett · Voi
1 Jul 2020
View on parliament.uk
Eleanor Southwood · Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Graeme Sherriff · University of Salford Jillian Anable · University of Leeds Lorna Lee · Automobile Association Phillip Darnton OBE · Bicycle Association Rachel Lee · Living Streets
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuisance or transport innovat… HC 255 2 Oct 2020 27 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
27 results
1 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
Privately owned e-scooters are already a familiar sight in many British towns and cities, despite...
Privately owned e-scooters are already a familiar sight in many British towns and cities, despite remaining illegal to use on roads and pavements. They have the potential to offer a low cost, accessible and environmentally friendly alternative to the private … Read more
Government Response
The government partly agrees, stating that developing a regulatory framework is a priority, but actual decisions and legislation are deferred until after the evaluation of e-scooter trials to fully understand their impacts.
Department for Transport
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2 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
We welcome the Department’s work to examine the legal status of e-scooters.
We welcome the Department’s work to examine the legal status of e-scooters. The review of micro-mobility transport and the introduction of rental e-scooter trials will allow important evidence and data to be gathered to help determine the best way to … Read more
Government Response
The government partly agrees, acknowledging the priority of an effective regulatory framework. However, they state that fully understanding the impacts of e-scooters through trial evaluations is a necessary prior stage before making long-term legislative decisions.
Department for Transport
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
There is currently limited evidence within the UK on how the growth of e-scooters has...
There is currently limited evidence within the UK on how the growth of e-scooters has affected other transport usage, and thus the modal shift which may occur as e-scooters continue to grow in popularity. In our view, it would be … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and will evaluate the impact on modal shift using trip data and user surveys from e-scooter trials across England, aiming to encourage e-scooter use to replace short car journeys.
Department for Transport
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4 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
The Department, working with local authorities, must collect data during the rental trials on the...
The Department, working with local authorities, must collect data during the rental trials on the modal shift observed with e-scooters. Should privately-owned e-scooters and rental e-scooter schemes be fully legalised, the Department should use this evidence base to publish its … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation to collect data on modal shift during the e-scooter rental trials. They commit to evaluating the impact through trip data for every journey and by surveying users to understand their alternative travel modes.
Department for Transport
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5 Conclusion Not Addressed
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
It is essential that the Government’s rental e-scooter trials are accessible to a wide range...
It is essential that the Government’s rental e-scooter trials are accessible to a wide range of people and take place in a diverse set of locations. This includes city centres but also suburban areas and market towns where other transport … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on using trial data to determine e-scooter design requirements and inform specifications for privately owned e-scooters, rather than addressing the committee's point about ensuring trials are accessible and take place in diverse locations.
Department for Transport
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
We recommend that the Department continues to maintain close oversight of the locations of the...
We recommend that the Department continues to maintain close oversight of the locations of the rental trials and ensures that, when approving bids for new schemes, there is a good geographical spread around the UK and a balance in E-scooters: … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines plans to use trial data for determining e-scooter design requirements and informing specifications for privately owned e-scooters, failing to address the recommendation for maintaining oversight of trial locations and ensuring geographical spread.
Department for Transport
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7 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
It is unfortunate that, due to a legal technicality, users of rental e-scooters in the...
It is unfortunate that, due to a legal technicality, users of rental e-scooters in the Government’s trials are required to have a driving licence. People without driving licences ought to be a key target demographic for the rental schemes, yet … Read more
Government Response
The government partly agrees, noting the driving licence requirement is due to existing legislation. They state they will consider all trial evidence before making specific decisions on this matter, should e-scooters be legalised in the long term.
Department for Transport
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8 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
Should the Government legalise e-scooters following the trials, users should not be required to have...
Should the Government legalise e-scooters following the trials, users should not be required to have a driving licence either for rental schemes or private use. This would be consistent with practice in most other places around the world.
Government Response
The government partly agrees but defers a decision on driving licence requirements for e-scooter users, stating they will consider all evidence from trials before making specific decisions should e-scooters be legalised.
Department for Transport
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9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
There are mixed views by stakeholders on whether, in the longer-term, there should be a...
There are mixed views by stakeholders on whether, in the longer-term, there should be a mandatory requirement for e-scooter riders to have insurance, either for rental schemes or for privately owned vehicles. In our view, an e-scooter is more akin … Read more
Government Response
The government partly agrees, acknowledging mixed stakeholder views on mandatory e-scooter insurance and committing to consider all available evidence, including trial outcomes, before making a firm policy decision, while aiming to avoid unnecessary burdens.
Department for Transport
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10 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
The Department should closely monitor the number and type of collisions that occur during the...
The Department should closely monitor the number and type of collisions that occur during the e-scooter rental trials to determine the future insurance requirements for both rental and privately-owned e-scooters, should the latter be legalised. (Paragraph 59) Safety risks and … Read more
Government Response
The government response is a verbatim repetition of the recommendation and does not provide an actual response to the committee's call for monitoring.
Department for Transport
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
In our view, the speed of e-scooters should be suitable for the local environment they...
In our view, the speed of e-scooters should be suitable for the local environment they are deployed in. A “one size fits all” approach will not work. Speed limits in the trials can be determined at the local level by … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating that they have already instructed local authorities and e-scooter operators to use local knowledge and geo-fencing technology to implement variable speed limits below the 15.5mph maximum, suitable for specific local environments.
Department for Transport
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
In its Response to this Report, the Department should clarify what principles it expects local...
In its Response to this Report, the Department should clarify what principles it expects local authorities to follow when determining e-scooter speed limits in certain areas.
Government Response
The government agrees and clarifies that local authorities should apply local knowledge and geo-fencing technology to set variable speed limits below the 15.5mph maximum in specific areas, such as busy city centres.
Department for Transport
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13 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative...
The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform … Read more
Government Response
The government fully accepts the recommendation, committing to use data from rental trials and international evidence to determine appropriate e-scooter design requirements and inform minimum standard specifications if privately owned e-scooters are legalised.
Department for Transport
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14 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
We understand that it may not always be practical or feasible for users of rental...
We understand that it may not always be practical or feasible for users of rental e-scooters to obtain and wear a helmet. It is important, however, that e-scooter operators involved with the trials encourage users to wear helmets, and where … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on using trial data to determine e-scooter design requirements and inform minimum safety standards, but it does not address the recommendation to encourage or provide helmets to users.
Department for Transport
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15 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
An e-scooter travelling on a pavement at a speed of up to 15.5 mph is...
An e-scooter travelling on a pavement at a speed of up to 15.5 mph is a serious hazard both for the user and pedestrians. Local authorities need plans in place to monitor and discourage pavement use during rental trials in … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating that trial areas and operators are already tasked with minimizing pavement riding using technology like geo-fencing and user education. They are also considering various monitoring options, including camera and sensor data, and the potential for user account loss for repeat offenders.
Department for Transport
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
In responding to this Report, the Department should clarify how it intends to monitor whether...
In responding to this Report, the Department should clarify how it intends to monitor whether e-scooters during the rental trials are being ridden on pavements and the number of users penalised for this offence and that it has evaluated and … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, detailing its intention to monitor pavement riding through geo-fencing, user education, and new technologies like camera and onboard sensor data. They are also considering sanctions, such as account loss for repeat offenders, and will evaluate the efficacy of these measures throughout the trials.
Department for Transport
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17 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
Should privately-owned e-scooters be legalised, the Government should ensure that the law clearly prohibits the...
Should privately-owned e-scooters be legalised, the Government should ensure that the law clearly prohibits the pavement use of e-scooters, that there are robust enforcement measures are in place and that such measures are effective in eliminating this behaviour. Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that if e-scooters are legalised, pavement use would remain prohibited, consistent with existing law that reserves pavements for pedestrians.
Department for Transport
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18 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
Rental e-scooters left on pavements as ‘street clutter’ can cause a hazard for pedestrians, particularly...
Rental e-scooters left on pavements as ‘street clutter’ can cause a hazard for pedestrians, particularly people with visual impairments and those with limited mobility. We do not want to see British towns and cities develop the dangerous and unsightly street … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's concern about street clutter from e-scooters and notes that various operational approaches are being encouraged in trials to understand implications and inform future regulatory frameworks.
Department for Transport
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
The Department, working with local authorities, should closely monitor the trials to determine whether any...
The Department, working with local authorities, should closely monitor the trials to determine whether any problems are developing with scooters being left on pavements as ‘street clutter’. If so, the Department will need to trial and evaluate whether stronger regulation … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and is monitoring various approaches to e-scooter deployment, including free-floating, docking, and geo-fenced parking, through ongoing trials to gather insights for a robust future regulatory framework.
Department for Transport
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20 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
E-scooters have the potential to improve local air quality and help meet the Government’s carbon...
E-scooters have the potential to improve local air quality and help meet the Government’s carbon emission targets, particularly if they replace car journeys. However, we note there are valid environmental concerns relating to the lifetime of the scooters and the … Read more
Government Response
The government partly agrees with the environmental observations, noting the potential for e-scooters to reduce emissions and acknowledging concerns about scooter lifetime and charging processes. They state that environmental impacts are being monitored as a key component of the cost benefit analysis for the trials.
Department for Transport
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21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
We recommend that local authorities involved with the trials make it a condition that e-scooter...
We recommend that local authorities involved with the trials make it a condition that e-scooter companies seeking to participate operate in an environmentally sustainable way, both in terms of the design lifetime of their scooters and the processes used to … Read more
Government Response
The government partly agrees, noting that while local areas were requested to consider environmental objectives in trials, it was not a condition set by the government. They state that environmental sustainability will be a key consideration if e-scooters are legalised long-term, and environmental impacts are being monitored as part of the trial evaluation.
Department for Transport
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
The Department should closely monitor the environmental impact of e-scooters during the rental trials and,...
The Department should closely monitor the environmental impact of e-scooters during the rental trials and, if needed, consider introducing stricter requirements around sustainability. (Paragraph 123) Evaluation and next steps
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to monitor the environmental impacts of e-scooters during rental trials, stating this monitoring will be a key component of the cost-benefit analysis informing any longer-term policy decisions regarding e-scooter legalisation.
Department for Transport
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23 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
The rental trials will provide a crucial evidence base for future legislation on e-scooters.
The rental trials will provide a crucial evidence base for future legislation on e-scooters. The data collected from local authorities and operators will provide valuable information on the impact of e-scooters on safety, the environment, and people’s journey choices. Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating that the monitoring and evaluation contract has been awarded and the framework for evaluation is being finalised and will be made publicly available.
Department for Transport
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24 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
We recommend that the Department publishes its central evaluation framework for the rental trials, in...
We recommend that the Department publishes its central evaluation framework for the rental trials, in order to ensure full transparency and scrutiny of the policy development process.
Government Response
The government agrees to publish its central evaluation framework for the rental trials, confirming that the monitoring and evaluation contract has been awarded and the finalised framework will be made publicly available.
Department for Transport
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25 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
While we support the Government’s desire to enable companies and users to take up this...
While we support the Government’s desire to enable companies and users to take up this new innovative and environmentally friendly form of transport, this should not be to the detriment of pedestrians, particularly disabled people. The Department must use these … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will use trial data and evidence from other countries to determine appropriate e-scooter design requirements, which will inform minimum standards if privately owned e-scooters are legalised for use on UK roads.
Department for Transport
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26 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
We note that the usage of privately-owned e-scooters, once legalised, will avoid some of the...
We note that the usage of privately-owned e-scooters, once legalised, will avoid some of the downsides of rental schemes, such as scooters being left as ‘street clutter’. However, the concerns we highlight in this Report about pavement use, excessive speed, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and commits that, should e-scooters be legalised in the long term, pavement use would remain prohibited to address concerns about enforcement and safety.
Department for Transport
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27 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement…
Subject to the conditions we outline in this Report being met, we believe that the...
Subject to the conditions we outline in this Report being met, we believe that the Department should take swift action to legalise the use of privately owned e-scooters on roads and cycle lanes. We would expect this to take place … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will use trial data and evidence from other countries to determine appropriate e-scooter design requirements, which will inform minimum standards if privately owned e-scooters are legalised for use on UK roads.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 27 of 21 classified
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 4
Total 21 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
13 Apr 2021 Correspondence from Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport, relating to e-scooters, dated 23 March 2021
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