E-scooters and E-bikes: Regulation Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Transport
Andrew George
Main Page: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)Department Debates - View all Andrew George's debates with the Department for Transport
E-scooters and E-bikes: Regulation
Andrew George Excerpts(1 day, 20 hours ago)
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Helen Maguire
I absolutely agree. This is a critical issue for the high number of visually impaired people living in Swail House in Epsom in my constituency.
There are flaws in the current collision data. In 2023, there were at least 1,299 collisions involving e-scooters, but those statistics do not show the full picture. How can they, when the data is not consistently collected or identified? Data on death and injuries in reported road collisions is reported to the Department for Transport by police forces in Great Britain via STATS19. A new powered personal transporter category was introduced to cover e-scooters, but not all forces currently use the new specification. I urge the Minister to enforce the use of the new STATS19 specification for all police forces, so that we can understand exactly what is going on.
Andrew George (St Ives) (LD)
My hon. Friend is making an excellent point. Surely, the answer is relatively simple: if a scooter or bike operates purely through an electronic motor and not human propulsion, it should be taxed, insured and subject to an MOT like any other motorbike.
Helen Maguire
I thank my hon. Friend. I am sure he can put that point to the Minister.
E-bikes are not currently distinguished from pedal cycle or electric motorcycle categories depending on their power rating. The Government have stated that there are no plans to change STATS19 data to introduce specific categories for e-bikes. I urge the Minister to reassess introducing a specific category for e-bikes within STATS19.