According to www.thetimes.co.uk Electric Scooters will be legalized on roads and cycle lanes in the UK for the first time in the near future.
Under government plans to encourage green transport, Ministers are expected to launch a consultation next month on how to regulate e-scooters and ensure safety.
Following the consultation, trials in major cities will be carried out with a potential nationwide introduction if they are successful.
The article explains that the likely outcome of the consultation will be that e-scooters will be treated like bicycles. This means that they will be usable on roads and in bike lanes but will have to meet certain criteria. One of the criteria that will be implemented is a speed restriction. Based on other European countries this will likely be 15.5mph/25kph or slightly less. This may be regulated by making a physical speed restrictor compulsory on all e-scooters.
The consultation will also try to determine whether helmets should be compulsory which we predict will be a definite yes.
The Times also write that there has been some pushback in Whitehall amid concerns that e-scooters could discourage people from walking and contribute to obesity.
From a personal point of view, I feel that the above concerns are slightly off the mark. I truly believe that the legalization with controlled regulation of e-scooters in the UK will get many more people out into the fresh air than ever before. A lot of people will “ditch” their cars in favour of a cheaper, more efficient and much more fun method of transport. Commuting times will be cut, the roads will be less congested and people WILL arrive to work happier which will improve productivity.
Check out our Electric Scooter section on the website for products that fit the above criteria. Come and try them out for free at Ride and Glide and see what all the fuss is about!!
