Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils have launched a competition to select up to three operators for a twelve-month trial of rental e-scooters.
TfL, London Councils and London’s boroughs are working together on plans for a trial of rental e-scooters in the capital. This trial aims to promote safety standards and develop a better understanding of the impact of this emerging mode of transport on London’s roads. A competition has been launched today, which is open to all e-scooter operators. Up to three will be selected to take part in the 12-month trial, which is due to start in spring 2021.
Guidance issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) in summer 2020 now allows local authorities in the UK to trial e-scooters as part of a rental scheme. The use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads is not covered by these changes and remains illegal in the UK. The Metropolitan Police will continue their work engaging with e-scooter riders, and where necessary, will enforce the legislation regarding the use of privately owned e-scooters.
The trials are part of a wider approach across TfL, London boroughs and national government to enable people to use greener forms of transport and help avoid a damaging, car-led recovery from coronavirus, which would make air quality worse and increase congestion.
The trial involves rental e-scooters, while those which are image: E-scooter operator Lime is one of the companies involved in the London trial.
@LBM did you intend to link to the outcome not last year’s announcement.
Transport for London and London Councils have announced Dott, Lime and Tier Mobility as the selected winners. The pilot will run for up to 12 months beginning June 7. Between 60 and 150 e-scooters will be available to rent in each participating borough. Royal Parks are excluded. TfL will gradually let operators that demonstrate strong compliance add scooters. Those that don’t comply could have their scooter numbers reduced.
Helen Sharp, TfL’s e-scooter trial lead “This new trial will provide the data and insights we need to determine the longer-term role e-scooters could play in our strategy for a greener and healthier future for London.”
Rental charging only ends when parked in a geo-linkd bay.
@Aleks Yes, that was the link provided on the tweet I believe, which gives the background on the e-scooter trial. Thanks for filling in the current information, dunno what happened.
@Aleks
This link has more info on the current e-scooter trial.