Tag Archive: Scotland

  1. Shared e-scooter pilots urged for Scotland ahead of election

    Comments Off on Shared e-scooter pilots urged for Scotland ahead of election

    Source: Air Quality News Image credit: Benjamin Cheng, Unsplash

    Scotland’s political parties are gearing up for a parliamentary election in May, and are being urged by shared transport charity CoMoUK to support new legislation that could usher in shared e-scooter schemes, allowing for legal access to e-scooters in the country for the first time.

    The topic of electric scooters is a priority among the proposals which CoMoUK has created for potential inclusion in party manifestos. Currently, rental schemes are the only legal way to ride e-scooters in the UK, with London’s progress with such schemes as possibly paving the way to national legislation. No rental schemes have so far been established in Scotland; CoMoUK argues that the country is therefore omitting an affordable, flexibile and eco-friendly option from its transport mix.

    The introduction of shared e-scooter schemes to Scotland would require both primary and secondary legislation, however CoMoUK highlights that cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee are well positioned to host pilot projects.

    CoMoUK is also recommending investment in a network of mobility hubs, and the updating of Scotland’s Active Travel Strategy to more clearly incorporate shared bike schemes, and to ensure that planning of new housing development includes access to shared transport and other alternatives to private car use.

    Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “Scotland has a tremendous opportunity to become a leader in sustainable travel, and as we approach the Holyrood election, it is time for bold commitments and action. For too long, Scots have been denied the benefits of shared e-scooters, a flexible and low-carbon mode of transport that has been enjoyed by people in England for years. As well as giving e-scooter schemes the green light, enacting our other pledges would help the next Scottish Government unlock a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all.”

  2. Scottish government to reopen Low Emission Zone Support Fund for 2025-26

    Comments Off on Scottish government to reopen Low Emission Zone Support Fund for 2025-26

    Source: CiTTi Magazine

    Now in its sixth year of operation, the fund will receive £2 million for 2025-26 to encourage sustainable transportation for lower-income households, sole traders and micro businesses within 20km of Scotland’s low-emission zones.

    The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Support Fund, operated through the Energy Saving Trust, offers cash incentives alongside Travel Better vouchers to help people and businesses most in need of financial support to adapt to LEZs, as part of efforts to remove the most polluting vehicles from Scottish roads to improve air quality to protect public health.

    The Low Emission Zone Support Fund also provides a grant of £2,000 to incentivise households and smaller businesses to dispose of their high polluting vehicles, as well as a further £1,000 in Travel Better vouchers to assist the purchase of a bike or e-bike, or public transportation vouchers.

    Fiona Hyslop, the cabinet secretary for the Scottish government has stated her delight at extending the LEZ Support Fund for 2025-2026, “I’m pleased to open the Low Emission Zone Support Fund for its sixth round of support. Since 2019, the Scottish Government has now provided over £15m through the Low Emission Zone Support Fund. We’ve seen over 4,000 of the most polluting vehicles permanently removed from our roads – and over 560 taxis retrofitted to become LEZ compliant since funding began. It’s also welcome news that the LEZ Support Fund continues to support active and sustainable travel – with over 2,800 bikes, e-bikes or cargo bikes purchased thanks to our support. Working with Energy Saving Trust, we’ll continue to ensure that financial help is there for people and businesses who need it most.”

  3. E-scooter trials in Scottish cities could launch within nine months

    Comments Off on E-scooter trials in Scottish cities could launch within nine months

    Source: STV News

    Plans for e-scooter rental trials in Scottish cities could move forward within the next nine months, according to Voi, one of the largest operators of shared e-scooters in the UK.

    These trials will aim to explore the viability of e-scooters as a sustainable transport option, mirroring ongoing schemes in E gland. Currently, 22 e-scooter trials are active across England, which were launched following legislative changes four years ago. Discussions between the Scottish Government and the UK Department for Transport (DfT) are now underway to extend this initiative to Scotland.

    Local authorities express interest

    Several Scottish councils have indicated their willingness to participate. Midlothian Council has expressed interest but awaits the necessary legislative framework and funding. Glasgow City Council, which approved the idea of a trial in October 2020, is also awaiting for Transport Scotland’s legislative approval. A council spokesperson stated that e-scooters could play a role in creating a “sustainable transport system” for the city. They emphasized that any trial would be carefully monitored, particularly regarding pedestrian safety.

    Edinburgh City Council has also expressed conditional interest. Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, noted that while the council is keen to learn from trials elsewhere, the lack of enabling legislation presents a significant obstacle.

    Operator optimistic about Scottish trials

    James Bolton, UK general manager of Voi, expressed optimism about the initiative’s prospects in Scotland. “We’re really keen to start working with Scottish cities to introduce some of the benefits we’ve seen in England over the last four years,” Bolton said. “Speaking to the cities, we know there is a clear appetite for e-scooter trials north of the border.”

    Bolton emphasized the potential environmental benefits of e-scooters, including their alignment with Transport Scotland’s goal of reducing car journeys by 20% by 2030. Addressing safety concerns, he cited data showing a 70% reduction in serious accidents involving e-scooters over the past four years, putting them on par with electric bikes.

    Scottish government and Transport Scotland response

    Transport Scotland confirmed ongoing discussions with the UK Government for Transport regarding participation in e-scooter trials. A spokesperson stated that legislative changes would be required to enable interested local authorities to take part.

    Outlook for e-scooter trials in Scotland

    With growing interest among local authorities and a clear push from operators like Voi, e-scooter trials could represent a significant step toward greener transport options in Scotland. However, legislative approval remains a critical hurdle before trials can proceed.

    The coming months will determine whether Scotland joins England in testing e-scooters as a potential solution to urban mobility challenges.

  4. Scotland urged to trial e-scooters

    Comments Off on Scotland urged to trial e-scooters

    Source: ZAG Daily

    The Scottish government is being encouraged to introduce shared e-scooter trials in towns and cities to support the country’s climate targets.

    A new policy briefing from CoMoUK, a national charity focused on shared transport, highlights that Scotland has “missed out” on the benefits of e-scooters, which offer a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly mode of travel.

    Addressed to the Scottish government, public authorities, and the UK Department for Transport, CoMoUK’s guidance follows a statement earlier this year from Scotland’s Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, who suggested that e-scooters would “inevitably” be legalised in the country.

    “Since the initial launch of e-scooter trials in England in summer 2020 there hasn’t been an expansion into other areas,” CoMoUK Chief Executive Richard Dilks told Zag Daily. “We believe areas that have local authorities and operators who are keen to participate in new trials should have them, whether they happen to be in England or Scotland.

    “The Transport Secretary’s comments earlier this year were welcome, and we hope our policy briefing will inform her thinking and help build momentum around e-scooter trials.”

    According to Richard, UK officials need to work closely with their counterparts north of the border to get e-scooter trials off the ground in Scotland.

    “The legal use of e-scooters and decisions around their introduction is broadly a reserved matter for the UK Government. However, in addition to any legislation brought forward by the UK Government, further amendments to devolved legislation would also be required,” a Transport Scotland spokesperson told Zag Daily.

    “Ministers in the previous UK Government publicly stated their intention to bring forward a new regulatory framework to enable the use of micro-mobility vehicles including e-scooters. Both primary and secondary legislation would be required, therefore the timescales for when such a regulatory framework would be in effect remain unclear.

    “Transport Scotland will continue to engage with the current UK Government and monitor developments in this area.”

    CoMoUK’s policy briefing

    CoMoUK’s briefing identifies Scotland’s major cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee as ideal locations for shared e-scooter schemes due to their population size. It also highlights smaller towns like Inverness, Perth, Stirling, and tourist spots such as Fort William as potential candidates for such trials.

    The charity believes that pilot schemes would implement strict regulations to enhance road safety, addressing the current issue of illegal, unregulated e-scooters on Scottish roads. CoMoUK has also called on the UK government to legalize e-scooters to mitigate safety concerns related to unregulated vehicles.

    Their research shows that serious safety incidents occur in only one out of every 500,000 e-scooter trips, and they argue that trials could help Scotland achieve its goal of reducing motor vehicle traffic by 20%.

    Richard Dilks concluded by urging Transport Scotland to collaborate with UK authorities and move forward with pilot schemes as soon as possible.

  5. Scotland explores the possibility of e-scooter trials

    Comments Off on Scotland explores the possibility of e-scooter trials

    Source: Zag Daily

    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.“

  6. CoMo Bike Share Annual Reports, UK and Scotland

    Comments Off on CoMo Bike Share Annual Reports, UK and Scotland

    Source: CoMoUK

    The CoMoUK annual Bike Share Report (released for the UK and Scotland) provides key insight into understanding the performance and impacts of the UK’s bike share schemes.

    The 8th annual report provides new insights into the impact of bike share schemes, with CoMoUK highlighting “It provides new evidence for the positive environmental, economic and social effects of bike share schemes on individuals and communities. More than two thirds of respondents reported an increase in their trips by bike. This will be supported by greater access to e-bikes. E-bikes now outnumber conventional pedal bikes in the fleets of UK bike share schemes. 57% of the approximate 25 million hires per year, (between September 2022 and September 2023), were made with e-bikes.”

    Key findings

    1. Bike sharing motivates people to take up cycling.

    UK (left), Scotland (right)

    2. Bike share incentivises more cycling journeys.

    UK (left), Scotland (right)

    3. Bike share increases levels of physical activity.

    UK (left), Scotland (right)

    4. Bike share reduces Carbon emissions

    UK (left), Scotland (right)

    Click here to access the UK’s full report.

    Click here to access Scotland’s full report.