Source: Ipsos

Ipsos UK has published a new study revealing British public opinion towards e-scooters. The potential for environmental and cost benefits is well-recognised in the findings, but worries about pedestrian safety are at the fore.

61% of those surveyed agreed that e-scooters have a negative effect on pedestrian safety, and this view is more marked when splitting into an older demographic (81% in the 55-75 age-group) and a younger demographic (43% in the 16-34 age-group and 61% in the 35-54 age-group).

39% see e-scooters as positive for the environment, and 40% are positive about the cost of travel associated with e-scooters.

In the UK, privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle paths and pavements. The study posed questions about the potential legalisation of e-scooters in different scenarios; 48% of respondents were in favour of legalising their use on cycle lanes, but there was strong opposition to their use on pavements (62%) and roads (51%).

Ben Glanville of Ipsos said: “Our research highlights a complex relationship between the public and e-scooters. While there’s a clear acknowledgement of the potential environmental and economic benefits, safety concerns, particularly regarding pedestrians, remain paramount. This suggests a need for targeted interventions, such as improved infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, to mitigate these risks and unlock the full potential of e-scooters as a sustainable mode of transport.”