Sources: Zag Daily, Fleet World

Hopes that the King’s Speech on May 13 would open the door to the introduction of UK legislation for e-scooters were dashed, when no mention of the micromobility mode was made. Private use of e-scooters remains illegal on public roads, while shared-use trials in various cities have seen a fifth round of extensions, leaving operators and shared-mobility activists frustrated.

There had been indications in August 2024 that the UK government would introduce a Low-Speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category which would include e-scooters, but the topic was not addressed in the King’s Speech, which is a part of the State Opening of Parliament and outlines the government’s policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.

An initial shared e-scooter trial began in July 2020, and has been extended for the fifth time until May 2028. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said, “We are taking a careful, evidence-led approach – with our national trial and international regulation assessments due later this year. We will also consult on detailed e-scooter regulation proposals over the next year and look to legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows.”

The multiple trial extensions since 2020 have been given to allow time for evidence gathering and analysis, with the latest extension introducing the possibility for new towns and cities to become part of the trial if they can offer a “new feature” or “unique local characteristic”.

Alice Pleasant, Senior Public Affairs Manager at LEVA-EU member Lime, commented that the various e-scooter trials have “already demonstrated” public demand. “There needs to be standardised regulation so that operators, local authorities and riders alike can reap the benefits of e-scooters while ensuring they are safe, accessible and well integrated into the wider transport network.”

Shared transport charity CoMoUK had urged the government to include e-scooter legislation in the King’s Speech in an open letter, and its Chief Executive, Richard Dilks, said the omission was “deeply frustrating”, continuing, “The UK remains the only country in Europe that has not yet legalised them and these continuing delays directly contradict the government’s own goals for integrated transport.

“As well as denying people access to flexible, affordable, low-carbon transport, this inaction means we cannot implement the new technical specifications and safety standards that are so desperately needed.

“Furthermore, we are left without a mechanism to resolve the problems caused by entirely unregulated, privately-owned e-scooters being ridden illegally.

“The public, local authorities and operators desperately need clarity and direction. We urge the Government to rethink its timeline and bring forward this vital legislation.”

For shared-mobility operators, ongoing uncertainty creates a problematic investment environment, while the government has acknowledged, in its Road Safety Strategy, that the issue of private e-scooters and their illegal use on public roads has been “left unaddressed for too long.”