Safe to Scoot: How Legalising E-scooters Will Save Lives, Bust Congestion and Help the Environment

A new paper by Matthew Lesh, the ASI’s Head of Research, makes the case for why and how the United Kingdom should legalise e-scooters:

• Electric scooters — or ‘e-scooters’ — provide low-cost, environmentally-friendly ‘last mile’ transport. They are a central plank of the ‘micromobility’ revolution that is transforming urban transport.

• E-scooters are among the fastest growing technologies in history. Since the first dockless rental scheme in September 2017, they have provided hundreds of millions of rides and are now available in 350 cities worldwide. 

• The United Kingdom is the last major European country where it is illegal to use e-scooters on public roads, bike paths, and pavements. This is despite surveys and usage indicating they are overwhelmingly popular where they are legal.

• E-scooters are safe. They have comparable injury rates to bicycles. The legalisation of e-scooters could itself increase safety by providing clear rules and education. It would also provide ‘safety in numbers’: the higher numbers of a road user type (i.e. pedestrians, bicyclists) associated with proportionally fewer accidents.  

• One-third (33%) of e-scooter rides replace car rides, helping reduce CO2 emissions, NOx pollutants and busting congestion. 

• The UK is missing out on the economic benefits of the e-scooters industry, which is worth billions and responsible for thousands of jobs. E-scooter users also spend in local economies helping struggling high streets and, by reducing travel times and road congestion, boost productivity.

• E-scooters provide a transport option for communities and routes underserved by traditional public transport, helping lower income and minority communities. E-scooters have a complementary relationship with public transport.

• If the UK Government wants to enable technology of the future, help the environment, and reduce congestion, they should:

  • Amend the outdated Highways Act 1835 and the Road Traffic Act 1988 to legalise e-scooters;

  • Begin open trials in cities across the UK, with associated data collection and independent studies;

  • Allow cities and councils to develop a locally appropriate regulatory regime;

  • Adopt a liberal approach to regulation, avoiding limits on e-scooter numbers, companies or restrictions such as helmet requirements; and

  • Invest in education and appropriate infrastructure, including parking spaces and separated bike lanes.