Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the illegal use of electric scooters hired under the Government’s e-scooter rental trials.

Operators are only permitted to run trials if they have engaged with local authorities and the local police force to ensure that any issues regarding enforcement of e-scooter rules are dealt with swiftly. Additionally, all operators must have a plan in place to prevent riders using trial e-scooters on the pavement. Operators in trial areas utilise ‘geofencing’ technology to reduce speeds in busy, contested areas and creating ‘no-go zones’. They also provide a range of training options for users, both in-person and via online modules. They are able to suspend and also delete accounts where riders have failed to follow the rules of the trial.

The police will take action against rider behaviour, whether private or rental, for offences including drink driving; riding on the footway; contravening red traffic lights and using a mobile phone. Private e-scooters, being ridden illegally will be issued with fixed penalty notices for contravening cycle lanes, riding without insurance and/or riding without a driving licence.

Operators are required to cooperate with the police on these and other matters and provide information necessary to investigate any criminal offences raised by the local police force.