Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the number of privately owned e-scooters being used on public property; and what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users.

The Department estimates that 750,000 private e-scooters are owned across England based on survey results from the DfT Transport Technology Tracker. While trials are running, privately-owned e-scooters used on public property remain illegal. Officials have been in regular contact with the National Police Chiefs’ Council who have developed a national strategy for tacking the illegal use of e-scooters (both private use and illegal use in trial areas – e.g. pavement and twin riding) to ensure a more uniform approach, but it is not our intention to provide guidance to the police. We are considering further options for how best to regulate e-scooters and crack down on their illegal use. New measures being considered will be designed to create a ​much clearer, fit for purpose and fully enforceable regime for e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles.