E-SCOOTERS could soon be available to rent across a third of London boroughs after a 12-month trial was announced today.
Five boroughs – Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond and the City of London – will participate in the 12-month trial, which starts on June 7.
E-scooters will also be available in Canary Wharf and can be ridden through, but not hired or left, in the wider borough of Tower Hamlets.
Boroughs such as Southwark and Lambeth are keen to participate. Barnet, Camden, and Hounslow had previously indicated a desire to take part. Some boroughs are waiting to see what happens when the trial starts or have yet to resolve logistical issues, such as scooter parking bays or “geo-fencing” of no-go areas.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said in an interview with the Standard: “This is just the beginning of the trial. We are expecting other boroughs to join.
Three firms – Dott, Lime and Tier – have been selected by Transport for London to take part in the Government-backed trial. This will assess safety and whether riders obey the rules of the road.
The scooters will be limited to 12.5mph in London, 3mph slower than permitted in trials in the rest of the country. Lights will be automatically illuminated during the ride, and an audible alert can be activated to warn pedestrians.
Riders will not have to wear a helmet but it is recommended. They will have to take an online safety course before their first hire. Between 60 and 150 scooters will be available in each borough. Rides will only end when the scooter is parked in a designated bay.
Private e-scooters remain illegal and hired e-scooters can only be ridden on cycle lanes or the road – not on pavements.