Over the years, Rik Bossuyt has become a well-known figure in the Flemish spring classics, leading race winners to the podium zone on foot, by bike, and later by electric scooter. This year, at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, he opted for a new approach once again.
Ahead of the race, Bossuyt hinted at introducing a different mode of transport but kept the details under wraps. Following Jasper Philipsen’s victory on Sunday, the secret was revealed—Bossuyt appeared on an Ampyre e-scooter, ensuring he could keep up with the fast-finishing Belgian.
The most famous steward in Flanders, who was also featured on this year’s Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne poster, continues to make his mark with his ever-evolving choice of transport.
LEVA-EU member Ampyre’s e-scooter proves itself not only as an urban mobility solution but also as a reliable choice for high-speed events like Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.
The UK-based research highlights the need for greater accessibility in shared micromobility services.
A recent study has found that over half of disabled individuals believe shared micromobility services such as e-scooters and e-bikes could enhance their quality of life. However, improvements in accessibility and safety are needed to make these services more inclusive.
Research overview
The study, commissioned by the Motability Foundation in partnership with the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) and Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), examined the benefits and challenges disabled people experience with shared micromobility services. The research included surveys of over 780 participants, focus groups, co-design workshops, and interviews with industry stakeholders.
Key findings
Currently, only 10% of disabled individuals surveyed have used shared micromobility services. The most common reasons for non-use included the inaccessibility of the vehicles and a lack of information on how to find and book them.
Among those who had used these services, 70% felt confident using them, compared to just 32% of non-users. Additionally, 53% believed that shared micromobility could positively impact their lives, citing benefits such as increased access to outdoor activities, sustainable travel options, and greater spontaneity in their mobility.
Barriers to accessibility
The study identified several major obstacles preventing disabled individuals from fully utilising shared micromobility services:
Vehicle inaccessibility: Many participants reported difficulties mounting or operating e-scooters and e-bikes.
Low confidence: A lack of familiarity with these services made some disabled individuals hesitant to use them.
Limited awareness: Many respondents were unaware of how to access and book these services, and some booking platforms were incompatible with assistive technologies.
Recommendations for improvement
The report highlights three key areas for improvement:
User-friendly digital platforms: Ensuring that booking apps and service platforms are accessible and inclusive.
Increased awareness and education: Providing better information and guidance to help disabled individuals understand and confidently use shared micromobility services.
A significant barrier to progress is the absence of clear legislation governing shared micromobility, which the study found to be a limiting factor in innovation and accessibility improvements.
Next steps
To tackle these issues, the report urges the government to implement comprehensive regulations that promote accessibility, safety, and innovation in shared micromobility services. It also encourages providers to continuously evaluate and enhance their vehicle designs and digital platforms.
As an initial step, a pilot project will be launched to raise awareness of these services among disabled individuals. The initiative will offer hands-on experiences to help build confidence and encourage wider adoption.
Expert insights
Harry Fisher, Innovation Manager at the Motability Foundation:
“This exploratory research has given us valuable insight into disabled people’s views on shared micromobility.
“We can see there is great potential for these services to provide a sustainable way of travelling for disabled people, but more work is needed to make them truly accessible and safe.
“We are committed to supporting accessibility, inclusivity and safety in this sector as it grows, working alongside disabled people, transport providers, government, and local and regional authorities.”
Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK:
“This is an important and ground-breaking piece of research, which clearly shows that disabled people are aware of the benefits of shared transport and would like to use it more often.
“It also shows that there is much work to be done to make the existing offering more accessible and inclusive, and the findings contain a number of key lessons for operators and government in particular.
“We know from our previous work that micromobility schemes such as e-scooters and bike sharing have the potential to be transformative, improving people’s health at the same time as cutting road congestion and air pollution and freeing up space in cities. It is crucial that nobody is left behind as we embrace these sustainable forms of transport, which must be made as accessible as possible at the design stage.”
Gordon McCullough, CEO at RiDC:
“Not being able to go where you need to has a huge impact on all aspects of life – securing paid work, connecting with friends and family and accessing vital services, such as healthcare.
“Shared micromobility services have the potential to change that, so it was encouraging to see that many disabled people who have previous experience with them are confident about their use.
“The work now needs to be done to ensure that these potentially life changing transport services are accessible and available to all. Listening to disabled people from the outset and building their feedback and suggestions into the final design are crucial. When you design inclusively it benefits the whole population.”
The UK government is prioritizing efforts to address the risks associated with fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly those stemming from poorly designed lithium-ion batteries.
According to a letter shared with Cycling Industry News (CIN) by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the government emphasizes the dangers posed by substandard batteries and distinguishing between legal and illegal e-bikes.
The letter includes an overview of e-bike battery safety guidelines and recommendations for businesses involved in the repair, modification, and conversion of e-bikes and e-scooters, including bike shops, workshops, and mobile mechanics. The OPSS has outlined the risks and responsibilities associated with these activities in its guidance: Preventing e-bike / e-scooter fires | Business Companion.
As part of the Department for Business and Trade, the OPSS has been collaborating with Local Authority Trading Standards teams to engage with local businesses that provide these services. The goal is to ensure businesses are aware of their safety obligations and risk management strategies.
Fires involving e-bikes, e-scooters, and their components, including lithium-ion batteries, chargers, and conversion kits, are primarily linked to poorly designed or manufactured batteries. These batteries present a significant risk of thermal runaway, leading to fires or explosions. In December 2024, the Secretary of State issued statutory guidelines for producers and distributors, specifying the safety mechanisms required in lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes to mitigate this risk. These guidelines are available at: Statutory guidelines on lithium-ion battery safety for e-bikes – GOV.UK.
The OPSS has stated that addressing the dangers posed by substandard batteries is a government priority. In 2023, nearly 200 fires involving e-bikes were recorded across the UK, resulting in serious injuries and the loss of at least ten lives. As the national product regulator, the OPSS is leading a comprehensive initiative to assess and mitigate product safety risks associated with e-bikes, e-scooters, and lithium-ion batteries.
The letter from the OPSS follows concerns from industry professionals urging the government to take stronger action. Recent policy changes, such as the removal of anti-dumping duties on non-folding e-bikes from China, have led to criticism that the government is not sufficiently prioritizing the issue of battery safety. Additionally, there is ongoing concern over the distinction between legal e-bikes, which comply with UK regulations, and illegal e-bikes, which may bypass safety standards. The failure to clearly differentiate between these categories in public discussions and media reports has had tangible effects on businesses operating in the sector.
Cross-border talks for Scotland to join the next round of e-scooter trials.
Scotland is preparing for its first-ever electric scooter rental trial within the next nine months, according to Voi, England’s largest e-scooter operator. Discussions are underway between the Scottish Government and the UK government to join an expanded initiative. Voi, which manages two-thirds of the 20+ trials currently operating in England, highlighted that this new phase would allow Scottish councils to finally explore e-scooter use—four years after the initial trials were introduced by the former Conservative government.
Current legal status of e-scooters in Scotland
At present, only e-scooters involved in English rental trials are allowed on public roads. In Scotland, e-scooters remain illegal on roads and pavements but are permitted on private property with the owner’s consent. Despite this, they are legally available for purchase and have become increasingly common in many areas north of the Border.
UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently suggested that private e-scooter legalisation could happen in the future, though not before next year. In a similar vein, Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop remarked in May that such changes are inevitable.
Legislative challenges and council interest
For Scottish councils to participate in upcoming trials, legislative amendments are required. Glasgow and Midlothian councils have expressed interest in hosting rental schemes, but progress has been delayed due to the absence of enabling legislation. Glasgow City Council noted that it had agreed to a trial back in 2020 but is still awaiting legislative approval from Transport Scotland. Similarly, Midlothian Council reiterated its readiness for a trial, pending funding and regulatory changes.
Transport Scotland, the government’s transport agency, confirmed it is in talks with the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to evaluate potential participation. The City of Edinburgh Council also expressed interest in learning from trials elsewhere but emphasized that meaningful progress is dependent on legislative clarity.
Voi’s vision for e-scooter expansion in Scotland
James Bolton, Voi UK’s general manager, stated that Scotland is a key focus for the company in the coming year. He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Scottish cities, noting significant interest from local authorities. Bolton highlighted that e-scooter trials in England over the past four years have demonstrated substantial benefits, such as reducing car trips and shifting travel patterns—a goal aligned with Transport Scotland’s target of cutting car travel by 20% by 2030.
Bolton also addressed safety concerns, emphasizing that serious accident rates have fallen by over 70% since the trials began. According to him, e-scooters are now as safe as bicycles, bolstered by data from Voi’s operations in 17 English cities, including London, Liverpool, and Oxford, where 1.8 million riders have completed 40 million trips.
A missed opportunity and renewed optimism
Although Scotland missed the opportunity to participate in the initial e-scooter trials, there is renewed optimism that a rental scheme could become operational on Scottish streets within the next nine months. This development could mark a significant step forward in sustainable transportation for the region, helping reduce car dependency and providing a new, eco-friendly travel option for Scottish commuters.
E-scooter providers, including Lime, Dott and Tier, Mobility licenses to be cancelled from October due to issues with circulation and parking.
Madrid will ban app-based e-scooter rentals after the city’s three licensed operators failed to enforce limits on their users’ riding areas and parking, according to the city’s mayor.
José Luis Martínez-Almeida announced on Thursday that the licenses for Lime, Dott, and Tier Mobility would be revoked starting in October, and no new licenses would be granted to other operators.
“The market was found to be incapable of meeting the requirements set by the mayor’s office to ensure the highest level of safety for citizens,” he said in a statement. The shared e-scooter system has faced criticism in cities worldwide for reckless driving and improper parking by some users.
Following a public consultation, Paris banned e-scooter rentals last year.
Since May 2023, Madrid’s city council had regulated the e-scooter rental market, allowing only Dott, Tier Mobility, and Lime to operate, with each authorized to rent out 2,000 scooters.
These companies were required to provide the mayor’s office with access to their data and implement technology to ensure scooters were parked in designated areas and not used in pedestrian zones or near historic parks.
However, the operators failed to comply, the statement said, adding they have 20 days to appeal the decision.
The trials of shared e-scooter schemes commenced about four years ago during the pandemic and quickly became a popular transportation option in towns and cities.
According to the latest data collected from operators as of the end of March 2024, the use of these schemes continues to grow, although they remain limited to certain parts of England and require users to hold a driving licence.
Since the trials began, there have been 47.7 million trips, representing an increase of 5.5 million trips in the past four months alone. The number of users has risen to 3.3 million, with an additional half a million users joining during the winter period.
Before the UK General Election, many authorities and operators were ready to expand their scheme areas and fleets. It is hoped that the Department for Transport (DfT) will reconsider these proposals and allow trials in new areas before the necessary primary legislation is enacted.
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, has said that e-scooters will “inevitably” be legalised in the country. Currently, all e-scooters are prohibited from use on Scottish roads and pavements.
In an interview with The Scotsman, Ms. Hyslop suggested the potential for Scotland to join e-scooter trials, following the UK Department for Transport’s extension of such trials for the fourth time south of the Scottish border.
“When the UK Government announced that trials were to take place, a deadline was set for local authorities to register their interest in participating,” a Transport Scotland spokesperson expressed. “This deadline was set without consultation or advance notice being given to the Scottish Government, and therefore did not provide enough time for the relevant Scottish legislative changes to be made in the context of resources being deployed to respond to the pandemic.
As a result, it was not possible for any trials to take place in Scotland, however we will continue to engage with the Department for Transport on developments in this area.”
Transport Scotland outlined the required legislative changes, including amendments to devolved Primary Legislation, Secondary Legislation, and Traffic Regulation Orders.
Welcoming e-scooters
National shared transport charity CoMoUK is enthusiastic about extending e-scooter trials into Scotland, highlighting their potential contribution to climate change targets.
“An e-scooter trial would give Scots a brand new and legal way of trying out this great new form of transport, which could make a significant contribution to helping Scotland and the UK overall meet their climate change targets,” CoMoUK Chief Executive Richard Dilks states. “This is especially relevant given that Scotland has recently given up trying to meet its shorter-term climate targets.“
CoMoUK advocates for regulated rental e-scooter schemes due to their regulations, including top speeds, hours of operation, where they can be ridden, technical specifications, and rigorous safety standards. According to the charity, 1 serious safety incident only occurs in every 500,000 trips.
This has been contrasted with unregulated and illegal personal e-scooter usage, stating that it’s “sadly being allowed to shape public perceptions about this mode of transport.”
Ms. Hyslop emphasized the importance of e-scooter safety considerations before permitting rental trials, echoing the sentiment shared by CoMoUK.
Richard Dilks of CoMoUK added, “If there is to be a trial of rental e-scooters in Scotland, there should be an open dialogue between the UK and Scottish Governments so any lessons learned south of the border can be shared.“
Transport minister ‘not going to sugarcoat’ disruption to 60,000 people to last until 2025
During the closure of one of Sydney’s major train lines, thousands of commuters in the area face the prospect of more than doubling their daily journey times, even if the government succeeds in recruiting 160 replacement bus drivers within the next two months.
As the T3 line undergoes a 12 to 14-month shutdown for conversion into a driverless metro line, Transport for New South Wales has unveiled its plan to accommodate up to 60,000 daily commuters affected by the closure, trialling e-scooters as an alternative mode of transportation.
The transport minister, Jo Haylen, acknowledged the shutdown would be an “inconvenient and difficult period for commuters in this part of Sydney. We’re not going to sugarcoat this – communities along the T3 lines are going to have a tough time, but there will be services available for them”.
The Inner West Council is deliberating on approving the government’s request to host Sydney’s second e-scooter trial during the T3 shutdown. However, concerns were raised regarding resident safety, with the initial 10 linked stations proposed by TfNSW suggested to be cut to just 3 by council staff.
The current trains on the T3 line accommodate over 1,000 commuters during peak hours. While the metro line’s completion in 2025 promises trains running every four minutes during peak times, interim measures include “high-frequency” replacement bus services with three dedicated routes through Sydney’s inner west and southwest.
According to TfNSW’s latest projections, the replacement bus service between Sydenham and Bankstown is expected to take 58 minutes during evening peak hours, compared to the 24 minutes by train.
Despite the effort to recruit additional bus drivers, there remains a chronic shortage of drivers across Sydney. Transit Systems, the private bus operator hired for the replacement services, Transit Systems, has made progress in recruitment but faces challenges due to the existing shortage.
While Transport Minister Haylen expresses confidence in meeting the driver shortfall, concerns persist within the Rail, Tram and Bus Union regarding the feasibility of finding enough drivers. The opposition transport spokesperson, Natalie Ward, criticizes the government’s planning for the conversion project, citing increased driver vacancies and delays in implementation.
Guidance includes information on how to safely buy, store and charge e-cycles and e-scooters.
Information around how to safely purchase, charge and use e-bikes and e-scooters has been published by the UK government to improve consumer safety.
After thorough consultation with the industry, guidance on battery safety has been developed for both e-scooters and e-bikes, which aims to enhance awareness among owners regarding the safe purchase of e-cycles or e-scooters, ensuring compliance with manufacturing requirements, and promoting transactions with reputable sellers. The documents cover information on secure storage and charging, the warning signs for fire risk and how to address them, and responsible battery disposal. The guidance also emphasises that legal use of e-scooters on roads is restricted unless they are part of an official rental trial.
Minister Anthony Browne, responsible for Technology and Decarbonisation, affirmed that “Safety has always been our top priority, which is why our latest guidance aims to improve the awareness of e-bike and e-scooter users in the trial areas where they’re authorised.”
This announcement follows the Home Office’s advice on fire safety for e-scooters and e-bikes published last year. To further understand the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in e-cycles and e-scooters, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is presently conducting a safety study and taking enforcement measures when unsafe products are found.
The extension of e-scooter trials until May 2026 will facilitate further insights across various areas, including usage, safety and environmental impacts, and the exploration of travel behaviour changes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.