The UK government has pushed back the end date of e-scooter trials until 31 March 2022, meaning that a decision on legislating the micromobility mode could take until mid-2023.
According to The Times, a decision on e-scooter use, which is currently being trialled in 50 cities across the UK, is reportedly unlikely to be made until they have been tested in London.
The start date for an e-scooter trial in the UK capital has faced delays since its announcement.
UK trials were expected to finish this August, but ministers have now revealed that they will continue until next spring.
The Department for Transport told The Times: “To ensure we get the most comprehensive evidence from trials, including those that have started more recently, the end date for trials has been extended to 31 March 2022.”
Currently, only e-scooters operating as part of the trials can be used on public roads as geofencing technology enables top speeds to be limited.
The use of private e-scooters remains illegal, however there are reports of multiple cases of misuse.
Figures obtained by The Times revealed a number of crimes including robbery and assault are being committed with the aid of e-scooters.
One e-scooter rider was filmed travelling at around 50mph on a dual carriageway, overtaking cars travelling at the 40mph speed limit.
The figures revealed that 70 people have been injured during the nationwide trials, with 11 of those injuries branded “serious”.
Furthermore, safety campaigners in Birmingham have called for an end to the city’s trial following the street clutter caused by discarded e-scooters causing a risk to the visually impaired.
Richard Adely, CEO of e-scooter manufacturer Taur, told the newspaper that the government’s “dithering and delay has allowed more and more unregulated and out-of-control scooters to proliferate on streets, risking the life and limb of pedestrians and other road users”.
Read more: Upcoming traffic bill legalises e-scooters in Ireland
