UK transport authorities call for powers to set escooter rules
Towards a new national framework?
Story byCities Today
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Who should regulate?
Although implementation of new powers may depend on local circumstances, the report recommends that locally accountable strategic transport authorities are best placed to regulate micromobility rental services in their areas, to ensure that they complement existing transport provision and meet the wider needs of the people and places they serve.
Over 30 trials of escooters, initially set to run for a year, are underway in towns and cities across England, and most of these have now been extended to November 2022.
Several major micromobility operators — including Spin, Lime, Voi, Ginger, Neuron, Beryl, and Bird — have run or are currently running the trials, which are the only legal way to use escooters on public roads in the UK.
Outside of the trials, whilst escooters are legal to buy and sell, their use on roads, cycle ways and pavements remains illegal, but is increasingly common.
In response to the report, Alan Clarke, Senior Director of Policy at Lime, toldCities Today:“At Lime, we accept the principle of companies supporting local authorities with reasonable permit or licence fees and are in favor of more generalized road pricing for all vehicles.
“It’s important to note that all local authorities have decarbonization goals, climate change policies and many have declared climate emergencies.”
“Therefore, any charges paid by sustainable travel services, like escooters, should be proportionate, and the money used to support these goals. It’s important that sustainable transport options are supported to help get more [people] out of polluting forms of transport like private cars.”
A spokesperson for Voi said: “Voi welcomes the recommendations from the Urban Transport Group, and will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders and our city partners to support them to achieve their local transport and sustainability goals, ensuring micromobility can come to the fore, reducing reliance on cars for short journeys, and overall supporting the government to achieve its net-zero goals.”
