Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
3
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 …
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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 private, primarily replaced people undertaking more active and healthy forms of travel, such as walking, cycling, and even using kick-scooters. Promoting active travel must remain a key policy aim for the Department for Transport. The Department’s focus should be on encouraging the use of e-scooters to replace short car journeys rather than walking and cycling.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and will evaluate the impact on modal shift using trip data and user surveys from e-scooter trials across England, aiming to encourage e-scooter use to replace short car journeys.
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Department for Transport
4
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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, …
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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, with particular focus on how people can be encouraged to switch from the car to an e-scooter for some short journeys. (Paragraph 35) Accessibility of e-scooters
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to collect data on modal shift during the e-scooter rental trials. They commit to evaluating the impact through trip data for every journey and by surveying users to understand their alternative travel modes.
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Department for Transport
11
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 …
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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 ‘geo-fencing’ technology installed by companies. Operators should work closely with local authorities to plan and implement the most appropriate speed limits for rental e-scooters in local areas.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees, stating that they have already instructed local authorities and e-scooter operators to use local knowledge and geo-fencing technology to implement variable speed limits below the 15.5mph maximum, suitable for specific local environments.
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Department for Transport
12
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 AI summary
The government agrees and clarifies that local authorities should apply local knowledge and geo-fencing technology to set variable speed limits below the 15.5mph maximum in specific areas, such as busy city centres.
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Department for Transport
13
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 …
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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 use on UK roads.
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Government response AI summary
The government fully accepts the recommendation, committing to use data from rental trials and international evidence to determine appropriate e-scooter design requirements and inform minimum standard specifications if privately owned e-scooters are legalised.
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Department for Transport
15
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 …
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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 available to vigorously discourage pavement use. Local authorities and e-scooter operators must be able to demonstrate that measures to tackle such dangerous and antisocial behaviour are effective.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees, stating that trial areas and operators are already tasked with minimizing pavement riding using technology like geo-fencing and user education. They are also considering various monitoring options, including camera and sensor data, and the potential for user account loss for repeat offenders.
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Department for Transport
16
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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.
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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.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees, detailing its intention to monitor pavement riding through geo-fencing, user education, and new technologies like camera and onboard sensor data. They are also considering sanctions, such as account loss for repeat offenders, and will evaluate the efficacy of these measures throughout the …
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Department for Transport
17
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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.
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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.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that if e-scooters are legalised, pavement use would remain prohibited, consistent with existing law that reserves pavements for pedestrians.
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Department for Transport
19
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 …
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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 journey is effective in eliminating these problems. This ought to be done before making a decision on whether to legalise rental e-scooters on a more permanent basis. (Paragraph 109) Environmental impact
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and is monitoring various approaches to e-scooter deployment, including free-floating, docking, and geo-fenced parking, through ongoing trials to gather insights for a robust future regulatory framework.
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Department for Transport
22
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation to monitor the environmental impacts of e-scooters during rental trials, stating this monitoring will be a key component of the cost-benefit analysis informing any longer-term policy decisions regarding e-scooter legalisation.
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Department for Transport
23
Conclusion
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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.
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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.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees, stating that the monitoring and evaluation contract has been awarded and the framework for evaluation is being finalised and will be made publicly available.
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Department for Transport
24
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 AI summary
The government agrees to publish its central evaluation framework for the rental trials, confirming that the monitoring and evaluation contract has been awarded and the finalised framework will be made publicly available.
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Department for Transport
26
Recommendation
Third Report: E-scooters: pavement nuis…
Accepted
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 …
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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 forcefully by the Government in legislation. The current trials present a vital opportunity to test whether measures to curb such behaviours are effective.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and commits that, should e-scooters be legalised in the long term, pavement use would remain prohibited to address concerns about enforcement and safety.
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Department for Transport