E-scooters will be allowed on Britain’s roads for first time from Saturday

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E-scooters will be allowed on Britain’s roads for first time from Saturday despite deaths – including TV presenter Emily Hartridge

  • Regulations enabling the trials of rental e-scooters will come into force Saturday 
  • The trials will assess the impact of the e-scooters on traffic and safety for users
  • Only rental e-scooters will be allowed on roads, and will be limited to 15.5mph 
  • Comes despite deaths of some users, including YouTube star Emily Hartridge 

By Danyal Hussain For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

E-scooters will be allowed on Britain’s roads for the first time from Saturday, the Department for Transport has announced. 

New regulations enabling trials of rental e-scooters will come into force on Saturday.

The first schemes are expected to be launched next week, transport minister Rachel Maclean said.

The trials are being held for 12 months to assess whether the devices reduce traffic and what impact they have on the safety of users and those around them.

Riders who participate in the pilots will need a full or provisional car, motorcycle or moped licence, must be aged at least 16 and will be urged to wear a helmet.

Only rental e-scooters will be allowed on roads, and they will be limited to 15.5mph.

The decision comes despite deaths of people using the scooters, including YouTube star Emily Hartridge who was en route to a fertility clinic scan last July when she was killed in a crash on an e-scooter. 

YouTube star Emily Hartridge was en route to a fertility clinic scan last July when she was killed in a crash on her e-scooter. Pictured is the presenter showing her joy as she is presented with the scooter

The social media star's tragic death is thought to be the first involving an e-scooter, but her mourning partner does not believe the vehicles should be banned

The social media star’s tragic death is thought to be the first involving an e-scooter, but her mourning partner does not believe the vehicles should be banned

Ms Maclean said: ‘As we emerge from lockdown, we have a unique opportunity in transport to build back in a greener, more sustainable way, which could lead to cleaner air and healthier communities across Great Britain.

‘E-scooters may offer the potential for convenient, clean and cost-effective travel that may also help ease the burden on the transport network, provide another green alternative to get around and allow for social distancing.

‘The trials will allow us to test whether they do these things.’

E-scooters are currently banned in the UK on public roads and pavements, but this does not stop many people using them.

The Metropolitan Police caught nearly 100 riders in London in a single week last summer.

YouTube star and TV presenter Ms Hartridge became the first person in the UK to be killed while riding an e-scooter when she was struck by a lorry in Battersea, south London, in July last year.

She was struck by a lorry in Battersea, south London, in July last year. Pictured is a helmet lying at the scene

She was struck by a lorry in Battersea, south London, in July last year. Pictured is a helmet lying at the scene

The grieving boyfriend of Ms Hartridge later revealed his partner was en route to a fertility clinic scan when she was killed in a crash on the e-scooter he had given her as a birthday present.

Jacob Hazell said he and the 35-year-old presenter – who he described as the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’ – were overcome with excitement as they planned for a baby. 

The 28-year-old said everything in their lives was ‘going right’. 

But in a heart wrenching interview, he recalled his creeping sense of dread when the clinic said Ms Hartridge had failed to turn up to the appointment. 

And he revealed his anxiety then turned into devastation after stumbling across the news that his girlfriend had died in a collision with a lorry in Battersea on Friday 12 July.

Alan Clarke, director of UK policy and government affairs at US scooter rental firm Lime, said: ‘Today’s announcement that the UK is embracing micromobility, with trials of e-scooters now able to begin, presents a real opportunity for change.

‘E-scooters have been commonplace on roads and in cities across Europe for some time and Lime users around the world have already taken more than 150 million rides, saving more than 12,000 tonnes of CO2, whilst helping to reduce congestion and air pollution.

‘Over the coming days, weeks and months as trials start, we’re looking forward to building healthier, greener and safer cities across the UK.’

What is the current law on e-scooters in Britain? 

According to the Department of Transport, e-scooters are classed as ‘powered transporters’ and meet the legal definition of a ‘motor vehicle’.

They must therefore meet a number of requirements in order to be used on the road, including having insurance and conforming to ‘technical standards.’

As they do not, they are considered illegal to use on roads in Britain.

The Metropolitan Police has also said it is illegal to use e-scooters on the road and riders risk being fined or even having penalty points on their licence.

Riders also risk having their e-scooters seized by police.

The Department of Transport said e-scooters are covered by the 1988 Road Traffic Act, which also includes Segways, hoverboards, go-peds (combustion engine-powered kick scooters), powered unicycles, and u-wheels’.

The ban does not apply to electrically-assisted pedal bicycles.

According to the Department of Transport: ‘For motor vehicles to use public roads lawfully, they must meet a number of different requirements. These include insurance; conformity with technical standards and standards of use; payment of vehicle tax, licensing, and registration; driver testing and licensing; and the use of relevant safety equipment.

‘If the user of a powered transporter could meet these requirements, it might in principle be lawful for them to use public roads. However, it is likely that they will find it very difficult to comply with all of these requirements, meaning that it would be a criminal offence to use them on the road.’

E-scooters are also banned from using pavements under the 1835 Highway Act. E-scooters can be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.

However, from Saturday, you will be able to use them – under certain conditions. 

A legal framework governing trials is set to confirm that vehicles will be limited to 15mph and will only be allowed on roads, cycle lanes and tracks, but not pavements.