Three London boroughs join to the ongoing e-scooter trials across London.
The City of London, Southwark and some parts of Lambeth are joining the trial and rolling out new e-scooters for rent. This will double the current number of scooters available to 1,200 – up from 600 before the announcement.
The trials are already in six London boroughs, including Canary Wharf and West London areas – and have been in other areas of the UK for a number of months.
Why e-scooters?
Mayor Philip Glanville, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: ’The rental e-scooter trial has the potential to support our city-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic. `And boost London’s green recovery”.
“Running the trial safely for all road users is vital. Boroughs will work with TfL, London Councils and operators to uphold the highest safety standards and take into account London’s most vulnerable residents. Such as people with visual impairments.”
What has the response been?
But, the trials have been the subject of continued debate over their safety and the level of regulation on the streets. There have been 1,100 complaints since the trials began – 805 of which due to anti-social riding.
Sarah Gayton, from the National Federation of the Blind UK, said: “they’re far too fast and they’re actually [illegally] riding on the pavements and on pedestrian areas and across pedestrian crossings. So that for a blind person, or a visually impaired person, or anybody to be honest, is absolutely terrifying.”
“Who’s regulating them? Who’s there for the protection of the public? It really is the wild West. There’s really worrying trends coming out from these other trials about safety and accessibility issues and there is no need to trial these e-scooters in London now.”
What is the TfL saying?
Transport for London have reassured that safety remains at the centre of the scheme. In a press statement, TfL said:
“Safety will be at the core of the trial throughout, and data shared by the operators will play a vital role in helping to shape London and the UK’s future policy on e-scooters, including whether they could form part of London’s sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.”
The trials have also seen a rise in start-up businesses around the capital. Adam Rubin, Co-Founder of Scoot The City, is confident that Londoners will take to the new way of getting around.
“We’re obviously very, very pro the e-scooter trials. We’ve been travelling daily by e-scooters, and the benefits are endless. They’re eco-friendly, you can take more scenic routes. I think things have changed since lockdowns and the pandemic, people don’t want to be taking the tube everywhere.”
Co-Founder Joel Kosky has slight reservations over the adaptability of London’s roads and cycle lanes, but remains optimistic.
“London isn’t really designed for e-scooters all that well – we have very narrow cycle lanes and not enough bus routes. But, hopefully the infrastructure can be put in place, because we’re just as concerned about safety than anyone else.”
Transport for London and London Councils are continuing discussions with boroughs about further expansions over the coming months.
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HeadlineE-scooter trials introduced to three new London boroughs despite ongoing safety concerns
Short HeadlineE-scooters introduced to three new London boroughs
StandfirstThe trial run by Transport for London will see the City of London, Southwark and parts of Lambeth as part of the scheme.
Three London boroughs join to the ongoing e-scooter trials across London.
The City of London, Southwark and some parts of Lambeth are joining the trial and rolling out new e-scooters for rent. This will double the current number of scooters available to 1,200 – up from 600 before the announcement.
The trials are already in six London boroughs, including Canary Wharf and West London areas – and have been in other areas of the UK for a number of months.
Why e-scooters?
Mayor Philip Glanville, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: ’The rental e-scooter trial has the potential to support our city-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic. `And boost London’s green recovery”.
“Running the trial safely for all road users is vital. Boroughs will work with TfL, London Councils and operators to uphold the highest safety standards and take into account London’s most vulnerable residents. Such as people with visual impairments.”
What has the response been?
But, the trials have been the subject of continued debate over their safety and the level of regulation on the streets. There have been 1,100 complaints since the trials began – 805 of which due to anti-social riding.
Sarah Gayton, from the National Federation of the Blind UK, said: “they’re far too fast and they’re actually [illegally] riding on the pavements and on pedestrian areas and across pedestrian crossings. So that for a blind person, or a visually impaired person, or anybody to be honest, is absolutely terrifying.”
“Who’s regulating them? Who’s there for the protection of the public? It really is the wild West. There’s really worrying trends coming out from these other trials about safety and accessibility issues and there is no need to trial these e-scooters in London now.”
What is the TfL saying?
Transport for London have reassured that safety remains at the centre of the scheme. In a press statement, TfL said:
“Safety will be at the core of the trial throughout, and data shared by the operators will play a vital role in helping to shape London and the UK’s future policy on e-scooters, including whether they could form part of London’s sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.”
The trials have also seen a rise in start-up businesses around the capital. Adam Rubin, Co-Founder of Scoot The City, is confident that Londoners will take to the new way of getting around.
“We’re obviously very, very pro the e-scooter trials. We’ve been travelling daily by e-scooters, and the benefits are endless. They’re eco-friendly, you can take more scenic routes. I think things have changed since lockdowns and the pandemic, people don’t want to be taking the tube everywhere.”
Co-Founder Joel Kosky has slight reservations over the adaptability of London’s roads and cycle lanes, but remains optimistic.
“London isn’t really designed for e-scooters all that well – we have very narrow cycle lanes and not enough bus routes. But, hopefully the infrastructure can be put in place, because we’re just as concerned about safety than anyone else.”
Transport for London and London Councils are continuing discussions with boroughs about further expansions over the coming months.
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