Glasgow council is to ask the Scottish Government to change legislation to allow the use of e-scooters on Scotland’s roads. A transport strategy policy document says the vehicles would be ‘closely monitored’ if introduced.

A total ban on riding e-scooters on UK roads and cycle lanes was lifted in July 2020 to allow for trials of rented scooters covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Since then, a number of schemes have been approved in various towns and cities. Glasgow was the first Scottish city to express interest in running a scheme, but soon discovered that Scottish local authorities were unable to take part in the initial trials.

Speaking to The Scotsman in September 2020, a Transport Scotland spokesperson explained: “Whilst the use of powered transporters and decisions around their introduction and associated legislative changes are primarily a matter for the UK Government, it is now clear additional legislation and associated guidance would be required in Scotland to allow trials to take place.”

Glasgow Live reports that the council is now poised to ask the Scottish Government to, “recognise the role that e-scooters can play in a sustainable transport system in Glasgow.”

The policy document goes on to say that the council could ask for legislation to be changed to allow the use of e-scooters on the road network in Scotland, “subject to positive results from trials.”

The plan would be to closely monitor the use of e-scooters and ensure pedestrians are protected before incorporating, “guidance on e-scooter use into our behaviour change toolkits.”

The use of privately-owned e-scooters is currently illegal in public places throughout the UK.

In May last year, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was photographed riding an e-scooter during a campaign visit to Troon. Police Scotland took the opportunity to remind the public that it was still illegal to use one.