E-scooters are now available for hire in Westminster after it became the latest borough to join London’s trial schemes. Westminster City Council said its involvement would last 10 months with an option to extend for another six.

A blanket ban on e-scooters was lifted in July 2020 to allow for trials of rented scooters covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy.

However, while schemes swiftly got underway in other parts of the country, it was not until June 2021 that any were approved for the capital. The government later said it would await the outcome of these London trials before making any changes to the wider legal status of e-scooters.

At the outset, the boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond Upon Thames and Tower Hamlets were the only ones in which the trials were permitted. These were joined a month later by the City of London, Southwark and Lambeth.

Safety standards in London go further than those set out at a national level. Most strikingly, e-scooters are restricted to a lower maximum speed of 12.5mph. Users must also undertake a mandatory e-learning safety course before renting for the first time.

Scooters from all three hire firms – Dott, Lime and Tier – will be permitted in Westminster.

Councillor Melvyn Caplan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Management, commented: “Westminster City Council has worked hard over recent months to identify suitable parking locations for this scheme, and we have monitored the roll-out in other boroughs to ensure that the trial in Westminster can operate as smoothly and safely as possible.

“The safety of residents and visitors to the city will remain our top priority throughout this process and we will work closely with providers to ensure that users comply with the rules.”