Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils will expand the capital’s trial of rental e-scooters, with e-scooters available to rent from 05 July in the City of London, northern parts of Lambeth and Southwark.
Southwark joins Tower Hamlets as a ride-through only borough, which means e-scooters may be used in, but may not be hired or parked in these boroughs.
Helen Sharp, TfL’s e-scooter trial lead, said: “We’ve worked closely with the City of London, Lambeth and Southwark to ensure this expansion of the trial works for everybody in the area.
“London’s safety-first trial of e-scooters is already providing vital data about the long-term role they could play in a greener and healthier future for the capital and this expansion will further help to shape UK and London policy in the area.
“Safety remains our top priority and we will continue to closely monitor e-scooters in the new and existing trial areas, making improvements wherever identified.”
This expansion will mean that the number of vehicles will increase from around 600 to 1,200 across London. TfL and London Councils are continuing discussions with boroughs about further expansions over the coming months.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, added: “I’m pleased that London’s rental e-scooter trial is expanding to cover the City of London, and parts of Lambeth and Southwark.
“Extending the footprint of the trial to more areas will enable us to get a better understanding of the role e-scooters can play in switching car journeys to greener and more sustainable alternatives. Safety continues to be at the heart of our trial, with London’s more stringent safety standards also in place in the new large area.”
The use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads is not covered by the trial and remains illegal in the UK, as does riding any e-scooter, rental or private, on footways. The Metropolitan Police will continue their work engaging with e-scooter riders, and where necessary, will enforce the legislation regarding the use of privately owned e-scooters on the highway and on footways.
Read more: Over half of Londoners would consider using an e-scooter, Dott finds
