London rental e-scooter trial
Stage: Policy designFind out more about the London rental e-scooter trial and have your say to help improve the scheme.
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1164 Londoners have responded | 05/07/2023 - 17/10/2023
Updates
TfL and London Councils launch next phase of London’s rental e-scooter trial
Updated: 02 November 2023
Thank you to everyone who had their say on London’s rental e-scooter trial. We heard from over 1,100 of you.
We’ve shared your feedback with our colleagues in City Hall’s Transport team and Transport for London (TfL). They will use the insights from your feedback to contribute to the report on the evaluation of the first phase of the trial which will be published next year.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the rental e-scooter trial taking place in London. The London trial has been running for over two years but e-scooters are still a relatively new mode of transport and the trial remains the only legal way to ride one on our roads. Your feedback is therefore valuable in helping us understand how we can improve the trial. Your feedback is also helpful as we seek to understand any future legislation on e-scooters that the Government may introduce.
Second phase of the trial
On 25 September 2023, Transport for London and London Councils launched the second phase of the trial.
Rental e-scooter providers Dott, Lime and Voi were selected for this phase after their ability to meet strict safety requirements and high operating standards were carefully assessed.
This next phase will build on the learnings from the first phase, including what you told us here on Talk London.
Innovations
TfL and providers will trial further innovations and new technology, such as exploring the use of pavement riding detection technology and audible vehicle alerts.
Over the past two years, TfL and London Councils have worked with participating London boroughs and operators to improve the use of geofencing technology and increase the number of parking bays. There are now more than 600 parking bays available across the trial area.
The trial currently runs in ten London boroughs who have chosen to take part. The next phase will see an expansion in coverage, including to the south of Lambeth with around 190 new parking bays coming later this year.
Safety
Safety will continue to be at the heart of the London trial, with rental e-scooters offering safety benefits over private e-scooters (which remain unlawful on public roads). These include:
- A maximum speed of 12.5mph
- Lights at the front and the rear of the vehicles that are always on throughout any rental
- GPS controlled parking and no-go zones
- A unique identification number plate on every vehicle
- A higher standard for fire and battery safety management
TfL, London Councils and London boroughs will also be exploring the design of one coordinated future scheme to manage dockless e-bikes and e-scooters in London.
You can find more details in TfL’s press release.