TfL will start trialling e-scooters in London in early 2021

Rental e-scooters are set to become a common sight on the streets of London from next spring after Transport for London (TfL) announced plans for the UK’s largest electric scooter trial in early 2021.

Bird, Voi, LINK and Lime are among the e-scooter firms TfL has invited to make their case for their machines to participate in the year-long trial, which will use scooters from up to three operators.

The purpose of the trial is to determine whether the scooters are beneficial to London’s residents as a form of green transportation and the viability of a permanent rental scheme.

Rental e-scooters were legalised in the UK in July, allowing operators to start trials in England, Scotland and Wales, but it remains illegal to ride privately-owned scooters on public roads.

Bike-like rules for scooters

Riders will be able to travel around on the scooters using bus lanes and roads, as with bicycles, but will be prevented from riding them on pavements.

Around a third of London’s 33 boroughs have expressed interest in the rental scheme, with an estimated 60-150 e-scooters likely to be allocated to each borough. Other areas in the city will be able to join the scheme at a later date.

Individual boroughs will be given the power to designate ‘no-go’ areas using geofencing technology, which will cause scooters to automatically slow to a halt if a rider attempts to enter them or to limit the speed of the scooter to a maximum of 8mph.

E-scooters are generally limited to speeds of 15mph and while helmets are recommended, it’s not illegal to ride a scooter without one.

The Government’s restrictions require riders to have a full or provisional car, motorcycle or moped licence and to be over 16 years of age. 

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Mayor Philip Glanville, chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said monitoring the safety of the trial was “vital”, and that the performance of the operators would be regularly reviewed throughout the year.

“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,” he added.

Battle of the operators

Patrick Studener, vice president of e-scooter operator Bird’s EMEA operations, said it was “fantastic” that TfL had acknowledged the machines’ role in reducing congestion and air pollution in the capital.

“Bird is no stranger to London having operated in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the last two years, so we’re very much looking forward to being able to spread our wings further,” he said.

Voi, which already trials e-scooters in Northampton, Birmingham, Liverpool, Cambridge, Bath and Bristol, said that shared e-scooters have “huge potential to help commuters return to the city centre and bring life back to the West End”.

“They will be crucial in helping to relieve congestion in inner and outer boroughs, offering a viable alternative to cars,” it said in a statement.

“In the last few months, they have also been crucial in providing a safe new socially-distant way for people to travel during the pandemic, helping cities to rebuild and repair their economies.  

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