The rise of micromobility devices, particularly electric scooters (eScooters), holds the promise of addressing urban transport challenges, including poor air quality caused by increased congestion.

However, despite their potential benefits, eScooters currently face legal restrictions on UK roads and pavements.

The legal status of eScooters in the UK is nuanced. While it is legal to buy or sell an escooter as a battery-powered personal transport device, riding it on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes is against the law. Offenders could face a £300 fine and six points on their driving licence. The only legal usage is on private land with the landowner's permission.

The Electric Scooter Trials and Traffic Signs (Coronavirus) Regulations and General Directions 2020 provide the legal framework for escooter trials, exempting trial participants from specific Road Traffic Act 1988 requirements. However, privately owned eScooters remain prohibited on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes.

The impact of eScooters on other modes of transportation is a contentious issue. While they could alleviate congestion and improve air quality, there are concerns that eScooters might replace walking, cycling, or the use of public transport, negating potential health and congestion benefits.

Proponents argue that eScooters can contribute to reducing carbon emissions by discouraging car use. However, studies question the environmental impact, citing the short lifespan of eScooters and potential minimal carbon savings.

Stakeholders express worries about the physical robustness of micromobility devices, user skills, interactions with other road users, and liability in accidents. The safety debate underscores the need for stringent regulations.

Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) emphasises the importance of new laws to ensure both rental and privately owned eScooters adhere to high safety standards. An estimated 750,000 privately owned eScooters, currently unregulated, highlight the urgency of robust safety measures.

Companies, such as Dott, providing rental eScooters express concerns that the delay hampers long-term investments in the UK. The lack of policy clarity affects market growth and inhibits the realisation of potential benefits.

Organizations like Guide Dogs stress the need for regulations to address the impact of anti-social escooter use, especially concerning pedestrians with sight loss. Mandatory docked parking, weight controls, and strict enforcement are proposed to enhance safety.

The delayed legislation on eScooters in the UK has sparked criticism, with stakeholders emphasising the need for robust regulations to ensure safety, accountability, and market growth. Striking a balance between encouraging micromobility for sustainable urban transport and addressing safety concerns remains a complex challenge that requires comprehensive and timely regulatory frameworks. As the debate continues, the UK stands at a crucial crossroads, deciding the future trajectory of eScooters in its transportation landscape.