Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they made of law enforcement against illegal use of private e-scooters on public (1) roads, and (2) pavements, before extending the trial for local authority-authorised rental e-scooter schemes until May 2024.

Enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed to tackle illegal riding of e-scooters is an operational matter for chief officers according to local policing plans. In February we issued updated guidance to all local authorities and operators taking part in the trials, and local authorities in trial areas continue to engage with local police forces. Following the trial extension, the Government will continue to support the police by ensuring they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation including those relating to e-scooters.

The Department has in place a national monitoring and evaluation programme for the e-scooter trials. As part of the evaluation, evidence was gathered on public perceptions of e-scooters, including residents’ views of current e-scooter laws. The findings report from the evaluation is due to be published later this year.

Alongside the findings from the evaluation, we are drawing from wider evidence to further support the trials and help us to consider options for new regulations for e-scooters. For example, insights on public understanding of e-scooter laws has been collected through the Department’s Transport and Technology tracker, with findings published in December 2021.

Existing trials will continue to run to 30 November 2022. Local Authorities can then choose to withdraw from the trials or continue with an extension to 31 May 2024. Our e-scooter trials ​regulations apply in Great Britain, though some aspects of traffic signs and regulations are devolved and would require the devolved Governments to also amend their legislation. To date, Wales have decided not to hold trials.