E- scooters could be allowed on UK’s roads

E- SCOOTER RIDERS should be allowed to ride on roads in the UK within the next 18 months, MPs say, provided they can be kept off pavements.

A consultation by Parliament’s transport committee found e- scooters could be an effective way to cut car journeys and clean up the air.

But it feared they could be dangerous to pedestrians if the vehicles – which reach 15mph – were used on pavements.

The committee heard evidence that local authorities would need funding to enforce any new safety restrictions.

Privately- owned E- scooters can only be used on private land at present, although rented e- scooters can be used in certain trial areas on roads.

Most European countries allow e- scooters on roads.

The transport committee called for e- scooters to be opened up to everyone, even those without a licence, and helmets to be recommended but not mandated by law.

Several areas, including Teesside, Hartlepool, Milton Keynes Borough, in Northamptonshire, and the West Midlands have now signed up for the trial phase ahead of a potential national rollout.

Committee chair Huw Merriman said: “E- scooters have the potential to become an exciting and ingenious way to navigate our streets and get from place to place.

“If this gets people out of the car, reducing congestion and exercising in the open air, then even better.”

AA president Edmund King said: “As the safest option, we would support the use of e- scooters on extended dedicated cycle ways and recommend some form of training before setting off on the public highway.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said that e- scooters could offer an affordable, reliable and sustainable way to travel.