Recommendations & Conclusions
27 items
1
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Privately owned e-scooters are already a familiar sight in many British towns and cities, despite remaining illegal to use on roads and pavements. They have the potential to offer a low cost, accessible and environmentally friendly alternative to the private car. The Department for Transport’s focus must be on developing …
Government response. The Government partly agrees with this recommendation. An appropriate and effective regulatory legal framework for e-scooter use will, of course, be a priority and work is underway to understand, for example, the lessons that can be gleaned from other countries …
Department for Transport
2
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
We welcome the Department’s work to examine the legal status of e-scooters. The review of micro-mobility transport and the introduction of rental e-scooter trials will allow important evidence and data to be gathered to help determine the best way to incorporate both rental and privately-owned e-scooters within the UK transport …
Government response. The Government partly agrees with this recommendation. An appropriate and effective regulatory legal framework for e-scooter use will, of course, be a priority and work is underway to understand, for example, the lessons that can be gleaned from other countries …
Department for Transport
3
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
There is currently limited evidence within the UK on how the growth of e-scooters has affected other transport usage, and thus the modal shift which may occur as e-scooters continue to grow in popularity. In our view, it would be counter- productive if an uptake in e-scooters, whether rental or …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The types of modal shift e-scooters induce will be a key metric of ‘success’. Evaluation from overseas suggests that e-scooters can and do achieve very good levels of mode shift away from private car …
Department for Transport
4
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
The Department, working with local authorities, must collect data during the rental trials on the modal shift observed with e-scooters. Should privately-owned e-scooters and rental e-scooter schemes be fully legalised, the Department should use this evidence base to publish its aspirations for modal shift in the medium to long term, …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The types of modal shift e-scooters induce will be a key metric of ‘success’. Evaluation from overseas suggests that e-scooters can and do achieve very good levels of mode shift away from private car …
Department for Transport
5
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
It is essential that the Government’s rental e-scooter trials are accessible to a wide range of people and take place in a diverse set of locations. This includes city centres but also suburban areas and market towns where other transport options are not as readily available. This would also allow …
Government response. The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform …
Department for Transport
6
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
We recommend that the Department continues to maintain close oversight of the locations of the rental trials and ensures that, when approving bids for new schemes, there is a good geographical spread around the UK and a balance in E-scooters: pavement nuisance or transport innovation? 39 population density. The Department …
Government response. The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform …
Department for Transport
7
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
It is unfortunate that, due to a legal technicality, users of rental e-scooters in the Government’s trials are required to have a driving licence. People without driving licences ought to be a key target demographic for the rental schemes, yet they are excluded. We believe the rental schemes should be …
Government response. The government partly agrees with this recommendation. The requirement for users of e-scooters to hold some form of driving licence is as a result of existing primary legislation related to ‘motor vehicles’, which trial e-scooters remain categorised as. However, given …
Department for Transport
8
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Should the Government legalise e-scooters following the trials, users should not be required to have a driving licence either for rental schemes or private use. This would be consistent with practice in most other places around the world.
Government response. The government partly agrees with this recommendation. The requirement for users of e-scooters to hold some form of driving licence is as a result of existing primary legislation related to ‘motor vehicles’, which trial e-scooters remain categorised as. However, given …
Department for Transport
9
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
There are mixed views by stakeholders on whether, in the longer-term, there should be a mandatory requirement for e-scooter riders to have insurance, either for rental schemes or for privately owned vehicles. In our view, an e-scooter is more akin to a bike or an e-bike, rather than a moped, …
Government response. The government partly agrees. There are mixed views by stakeholders on whether, in the longer term, there should be a mandatory requirement for e-scooter riders to have insurance, either for rental schemes or for privately owned vehicles. The Government is …
Department for Transport
10
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
The Department should closely monitor the number and type of collisions that occur during the e-scooter rental trials to determine the future insurance requirements for both rental and privately-owned e-scooters, should the latter be legalised. (Paragraph 59) Safety risks and regulation
Government response. The Department should closely monitor the number and type of collisions that occur during the e-scooter rental trials to determine the future insurance requirements for both rental and privately-owned e-scooters, should the latter be legalised. (Paragraph 59) Safety risks and …
Department for Transport
11
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
In our view, the speed of e-scooters should be suitable for the local environment they are deployed in. A “one size fits all” approach will not work. Speed limits in the trials can be determined at the local level by local authorities and, in the case of rental e-scooters, via …
Government response. The Government agrees. When considering what an appropriate maximum speed for e-scooters in trial areas should be, the Government looked at speed limits applied overseas and also consulted national stakeholders. The general view was that a maximum of 15.5mph was …
Department for Transport
12
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
In its Response to this Report, the Department should clarify what principles it expects local authorities to follow when determining e-scooter speed limits in certain areas.
Government response. The Government agrees. When considering what an appropriate maximum speed for e-scooters in trial areas should be, the Government looked at speed limits applied overseas and also consulted national stakeholders. The general view was that a maximum of 15.5mph was …
Department for Transport
13
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform minimum standard specifications should privately owned e-scooters be legalised for …
Government response. The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform …
Department for Transport
14
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
We understand that it may not always be practical or feasible for users of rental e-scooters to obtain and wear a helmet. It is important, however, that e-scooter operators involved with the trials encourage users to wear helmets, and where 40 E-scooters: pavement nuisance or transport innovation? possible, operators should …
Government response. The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform …
Department for Transport
15
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
An e-scooter travelling on a pavement at a speed of up to 15.5 mph is a serious hazard both for the user and pedestrians. Local authorities need plans in place to monitor and discourage pavement use during rental trials in their local areas. Rental e-scooter operators must use the technology …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. Pavement riding of rental e-scooters in trial areas is illegal and is a genuine cause of anxiety for pedestrians, including vulnerable road users. Trial areas and e-scooter operators have had it made clear to …
Department for Transport
16
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
In responding to this Report, the Department should clarify how it intends to monitor whether e-scooters during the rental trials are being ridden on pavements and the number of users penalised for this offence and that it has evaluated and identified effective measures to eliminate such antisocial behaviour.
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. Pavement riding of rental e-scooters in trial areas is illegal and is a genuine cause of anxiety for pedestrians, including vulnerable road users. Trial areas and e-scooter operators have had it made clear to …
Department for Transport
17
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Should privately-owned e-scooters be legalised, the Government should ensure that the law clearly prohibits the pavement use of e-scooters, that there are robust enforcement measures are in place and that such measures are effective in eliminating this behaviour.
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. Although no decisions have yet been made about whether to legalise e-scooters and will only be determined once evidence from on-road trials is analysed, should the government choose to legalise this new mode in …
Department for Transport
18
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Rental e-scooters left on pavements as ‘street clutter’ can cause a hazard for pedestrians, particularly people with visual impairments and those with limited mobility. We do not want to see British towns and cities develop the dangerous and unsightly street clutter problems with e-scooters, experienced in some other European cities. …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The issue of e-scooters contributing to street clutter is a genuine, valid concern for many members of the public, but particularly for those who are blind or visually impaired. A range of different approaches …
Department for Transport
19
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
The Department, working with local authorities, should closely monitor the trials to determine whether any problems are developing with scooters being left on pavements as ‘street clutter’. If so, the Department will need to trial and evaluate whether stronger regulation to specify where users must deposit rental e-scooters after their …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The issue of e-scooters contributing to street clutter is a genuine, valid concern for many members of the public, but particularly for those who are blind or visually impaired. A range of different approaches …
Department for Transport
20
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
E-scooters have the potential to improve local air quality and help meet the Government’s carbon emission targets, particularly if they replace car journeys. However, we note there are valid environmental concerns relating to the lifetime of the scooters and the processes used to charge their batteries. It is encouraging that …
Government response. The Government partly agrees (21). E-scooters have the potential to provide a sustainable form of travel across the country. They have a low environmental impact and carbon footprint when compared, for example, to private cars and they contribute very little …
Department for Transport
21
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
We recommend that local authorities involved with the trials make it a condition that e-scooter companies seeking to participate operate in an environmentally sustainable way, both in terms of the design lifetime of their scooters and the processes used to recharge batteries.
Government response. The Government partly agrees (21). E-scooters have the potential to provide a sustainable form of travel across the country. They have a low environmental impact and carbon footprint when compared, for example, to private cars and they contribute very little …
Department for Transport
22
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
The Department should closely monitor the environmental impact of e-scooters during the rental trials and, if needed, consider introducing stricter requirements around sustainability. (Paragraph 123) Evaluation and next steps
Government response. The Government partly agrees (21). E-scooters have the potential to provide a sustainable form of travel across the country. They have a low environmental impact and carbon footprint when compared, for example, to private cars and they contribute very little …
Department for Transport
23
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
The rental trials will provide a crucial evidence base for future legislation on e-scooters. The data collected from local authorities and operators will provide valuable information on the impact of e-scooters on safety, the environment, and people’s journey choices.
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The monitoring and evaluation contract has now been awarded and the fine detail of the framework for evaluation is being finalised. Once finalised it will be made publicly available, indeed, it has already been …
Department for Transport
24
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
We recommend that the Department publishes its central evaluation framework for the rental trials, in order to ensure full transparency and scrutiny of the policy development process.
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The monitoring and evaluation contract has now been awarded and the fine detail of the framework for evaluation is being finalised. Once finalised it will be made publicly available, indeed, it has already been …
Department for Transport
25
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
While we support the Government’s desire to enable companies and users to take up this new innovative and environmentally friendly form of transport, this should not be to the detriment of pedestrians, particularly disabled people. The Department must use these trials to ensure that any regulations governing e-scooters are effective …
Government response. The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform …
Department for Transport
26
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
We note that the usage of privately-owned e-scooters, once legalised, will avoid some of the downsides of rental schemes, such as scooters being left as ‘street clutter’. However, the concerns we highlight in this Report about pavement use, excessive speed, and enforcement remain pressing and will need to be addressed …
Government response. The Government agrees with this recommendation. Although no decisions have yet been made about whether to legalise e-scooters and will only be determined once evidence from on-road trials is analysed, should the government choose to legalise this new mode in …
Department for Transport
27
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Subject to the conditions we outline in this Report being met, we believe that the Department should take swift action to legalise the use of privately owned e-scooters on roads and cycle lanes. We would expect this to take place within the next 18 months. (Paragraph 133) 42 E-scooters: pavement …
Government response. The Department must use the data gathered during the rental trials, in addition to qualitative and quantitative evidence from other countries, to determine which e-scooter design requirements are appropriate and necessary from a safety perspective. This exercise will help inform …
Department for Transport