National shared transport charity CoMoUK has welcomed comments by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh that the government intends to legislate on e-scooters when it can find parliamentary time.
Recently asked by the Commons’ Transport Select Committee if she plans to introduce legislation regulating the use of e-scooters, Haigh said: “We will look to legislate, absolutely. It’s clearly required.
“It’s not good enough that it’s been left in this situation for too long.”
She added that e-scooters could be a “really effective part of an integrated transport strategy,” particularly by easing journeys for some people with accessibility needs.
However, she also warned there are “undoubtedly issues around parking and around street litter,” and stressed the need to, “really carefully analyse what journeys they are replacing, and the behavioural impact of e-scooters.”
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Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said legalisation was the, “only way to grow and lock in the impressive popularity of the shared e-scooter trials for the long term, as well as being the only way to have a clear and safe definition of private e-scooters and their use.”
He added: “In this way, ministers can give this cheap, flexible and green mode of transport a long-term future, helping deliver growth and decarbonisation at the same time.
“We know we have to attract people away from the use of private cars, and e-scooters are one mode of transport that can help to do this, ideally a part of an integrated, sustainable transport offer.”
The charity has repeatedly called for e-scooter legalisation, saying earlier this year that it’s the only way to resolve the problems caused by “entirely unregulated” privately-owned e-scooters being ridden on public roads.
Rental trials of e-scooters have been taking place in the UK since July 2020, and are currently set to end in May 2026.
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Privately-owned e-scooters however cannot currently legally be ridden on UK public roads. In 2022 the government announced it would create a low-speed, zero-emission vehicle category that would pave the way for their legislation. However, this has seen many delays.
An open letter organised by CoMoUK following the general election said e-scooters could be legalised through the creation of a new low powered zero emission vehicle class, which could also cover other forms of transport.
