William Eichler 26 April 2022

Campaigners call for e-scooter regulation to improve safety

Campaigners call for e-scooter regulation to improve safety  image
Image: r.classen/Shutterstock.com.

Campaigners have joined forces and written an open letter to call for e-scooters to be legalised across the UK in order to dramatically improve safety.

Nine organisations have come together to urge the UK Government to bring forward legislation that would create a new powered light vehicle class.

The move is designed to ensure e-scooters, whether rented in shared use schemes or privately owned, are subject to high safety standards.

The organisations are shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), the Centre for London think-tank, retailer Pure Electric, manufacturer Taur, WMG at the University of Warwick, research technology organisation Cenex, campaigning climate change charity Possible, the Major Trauma Group and the London Cycling Campaign.

They say the current e-scooter trials, which began in 2020, have been ‘highly popular’ with over 15 million rides taking place in the UK so far.

The campaigners argue a change in the law would define e-scooters to a high standard of safety and help to lower greenhouse gas emissions from transport, as well as cutting congestion and repurposing streets away from cars.

Their letter adds that the UK is the only developed nation without legislation or a plan for it, and explains how new regulations would help to grow ‘clean jobs’.

‘We the undersigned ask the Government to bring forward legislation that would create a new powered light vehicle class in the UK,’ the letter says.

‘This would include defining e-scooters in ownership or rental to a high standard of safety as well as building in future capacity for the UK to avail itself of innovative new micromobility options on two and more wheels.

‘It would end the dangerous position we have currently, where at least hundreds of thousands of entirely unregulated e-scooters are (when ridden on public.’

This article was originally published by LAPV.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Safeguarding Business Support

Wakefield Council
£12,792.00 - £13,634.50, Grade 5, 18.5 hours, Temporary- 12 Months Maternity Cover
An opportunity has arisen for an Administrator to support the Integrated Front Door Service Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Registered Homes Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £48,710 - £52,805 (Pay Award Pending) plus £2,500 recruitment/retention allowance and £3,500 market supplement. The salary with additional payments equate to an earning potential per annum of £58,805 at the top of the grade.
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Manager, Connected Carers

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £48,710 - £52,805 (Pay Award Pending)
Are you passionate about supporting children to remain within their family networks? Do you have the leadership skills to guide a dedicated team worki Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner