Escooters Update

The Department for Transport has announced that as from 4^th July 2020, e -scooters will be legal for hire in the UK. The Department for Transport has brought forward these trials by a year.  As a local MP I know some constituents are interested in this.

The Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “As we emerge from lockdown, we have a unique opportunity in transport to build back in a greener, more sustainable way that could lead to cleaner air and healthier communities across Great Britain.

E-scooters may offer the potential for convenient, clean and cost-effective travel that may also help ease the burden on the transport network, provide another green alternative to get around and allow for social distancing. The trials will allow us to test whether they do these things.”

Trials can commence anytime between 4^th July to the end of August 2020 and will last the duration of 12 months.

In order to hire an e scooter, users will need a full UK or provisional driving licence, motorcycle or a moped licence and must be over the age of 16. The vehicle must also have an insurance policy which will be covered by the rental provider.

E scooters will only be allowed on roads, cycle paths and tracks. They’re prohibited on all pavements and motorways. E scooter providers may offer training, but it isn’t mandatory to take any courses. The hiring process works through an app and the cost varying dependent upon the length and duration of the journey. 

In order to participate in the trials each local authority has to apply and the decision on whether the trials can take place in that location is down to the Department for Transport.

Privately owned e scooters are prohibited to be used within the trial and will still remain illegal to use.

At the end of the 12 months, the data collected will provide the Department for Transport with adequate information to evaluate e scooters for any potential roll out, by assessing; their impact on the environment, traffic levels, level of safety for the user and others and the effect it has had on the local authorities transport network.

I’ll keep an eye on this in both Norwich and Westminster.