E-scooter trial set to take place in five boroughs across London
By Alice Neil
Five boroughs have expressed an interest in a new e-scooter trial.
Boroughs including Lambeth, Southwark and Westminster are expected to take part in the trial which is due to begin next spring and last for 12 months.
TfL said that e-scooters could encourage Londoners to use “greener forms of transport and avoid a damaging, car-led recovery from coronavirus, which would make air quality worse and increase congestion.”
The e-scooters will be able to be used on the road and in cycle lanes.
It will remain illegal to use privately owned e-scooters on public roads and pavements, with riders potentially facing £300 fixed penalty notices and six points on their licence.
GeoFencing technology will mean each borough can create ‘no-go-areas’ where scooters cannot be ridden and will automatically come to a safe stop.
Boroughs will also be able to set up ‘go-slow-areas’ where the speed of the e-scooter will automatically be limited to 8mph.
Parking locations of the e-scooters will be controlled by each borough to protect against street clutter.
The total number of e-scooters has not yet been confirmed but is expected to be between 60-150 e-scooters per participating borough.
Richard Dilks, chief executive of shared transport charity, CoMoUK said: “early data from existing trials elsewhere in England shows very strong levels of use.
“It is vitally important that London is part of the UK’s learnings from these trials as we work towards a green recovery.”
A competitive tendering process was launched earlier this month for TfL to select up to three operators to take part in the trial.
Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s Director of Transport Innovation, said “safety will be our number one priority.”
Pictured: Lime e-scooters used in Alberta, Canada, photo by Mack Male
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