The United Kingdom government fast-tracks its trial and the potential introduction of e-scooter schemes in the country in an attempt to encourage a safe and "green" mode of transport and ease public transport demand. This follows the lifting of coronavirus lockdown.
In the guidance for e-scooter operators released on Tuesday, June 30, the Department for Transport (DfT) said the first shared e-scooters will be available for rent next week. This guide allows authorities in England, Scotland, and Wales e-scooter sharing schemes as part of 12-month trials.
Disability awareness campaigners already aired against the e-scooters as they are worried about the increase in dockless devices will make it difficult to traverse through walkways safely. Similarly, traffic safety activists are also concerned that e-scooters will mostly be used on pedestrian walkways, despite laws banning their use on pavements.
In contrast, if private e-scooters were legalized, people would fold their devices or park them more carefully. Generally, people care less if they do not own the devices, as proven by other schemes.
Meanwhile, the trials are originally planned for 12 months, but governments may continue beyond this one year, although it will be subject to the local or national government's agreement.
Governments will provide a summary report every six weeks to ensure objectives and timescales are followed. They are also required to remain in constant contact with registered local areas and operators to track these trials' progress.
Since e-scooters are convenient and easy to use, big cities in the UK may have a lot more e-scooters on the streets by summer. We can only hope that service providers would educate their clients on how to legally and safely use their e-scooters.
