The regulation of e-scooters in the UK is a growing issue, especially as other major cities ban app-rented models. Madrid, Paris and Melbourne have all prohibited rental e-scooters due to safety concerns, raising the question: could the UK be next? By Ben Pepper, senior associate in the personal injury claims team at Bolt Burdon Kemp. 

Ben Pepper, senior associate in the personal injury claims team at Bolt Burdon Kemp

Rental electric scooters have become a common sight in various UK cities. Trials, such as those in Southampton and Newcastle, have been extended until 2026 to assess their potential to reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions. However, growing concerns about safety have led to discussions about whether the UK should follow Madrid, Paris and Melbourne in imposing a ban.

Is a ban the solution?

Critics of app-rented e-scooters point to public safety risks. Riders often neglect helmet use, lack formal training and engage in disruptive behaviour by riding on both roads and pavements. The number of e-scooter-related accidents, including some with severe injuries or fatalities, has risen steadily. This has fuelled the debate on whether e-scooters belong on British roads, with some advocating for a complete ban, similar to measures already seen in other cities.

However, an outright ban may not be the most effective solution. E-scooters provide several benefits, such as reducing car usage, easing traffic congestion and offering a greener alternative for short trips. Rather than banning them, some suggest a more balanced approach focusing on improving safety and infrastructure.

A more balanced approach

A blanket ban would eliminate the positive impact of e-scooters on urban transportation. Instead of prohibition, the Government could invest in solutions to enhance safety. One suggestion is to create dedicated e-scooter lanes, similar to cycling lanes, providing a safe space for riders and reducing the risks associated with sharing roads with cars or pedestrians.

Stricter traffic regulations could also help address safety concerns. Implementing mandatory helmet laws, speed limits tailored to e-scooters and basic training requirements would reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents.

Improving rider education is another way to mitigate risks. Many riders are unaware of the dangers posed by improper use of e-scooters, such as riding on pavements or disobeying traffic signals. A public education campaign could promote safer riding habits and enhance public confidence in e-scooters.

If the UK followed other cities and banned app-rented e-scooters, legal and logistical challenges would arise. The legal status of e-scooters would revert to pre-trial conditions that existed before July 2020, making both rental and private e-scooters illegal in public spaces.

Removing rental e-scooters from the streets would also be a logistical challenge, potentially time-consuming and costly. Additionally, banning rental e-scooters could lead individuals to purchase private ones and use them illegally on public roads, resulting in further accidents and complicating enforcement.

There is also the question of whether a ban would increase traffic congestion. With rental e-scooters no longer available, individuals might turn to less environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as cars or motorcycles, contributing to both congestion and emissions.

Determining responsibility

Liability in e-scooter accidents is complex. At present, reckless riders are typically held responsible for accidents, while app companies could be liable if their scooters are defective or if they fail to provide adequate safety instructions. Local authorities may also share responsibility if poor road conditions contribute to accidents.

In the event of a ban, liability could shift dramatically. As e-scooters would become illegal, accidents involving them would no longer involve insured parties. This means that responsibility would fall primarily on the uninsured e-scooter rider or other road users involved in the incident. App companies, having ceased operations, would no longer be liable.

The future of e-scooters in the UK

Madrid and Melbourne’s recent bans on e-scooters may signal a broader trend, but it remains unclear whether the UK will follow suit. While e-scooters offer undeniable benefits, including reduced emissions and less traffic congestion, the safety concerns they raise cannot be ignored.

A more balanced approach could prove to be a better solution. By improving infrastructure – such as creating dedicated e-scooter lanes – providing better rider education and enforcing safety regulations more strictly, the UK could mitigate the risks associated with these vehicles while preserving their benefits.

For now, e-scooters remain a part of ongoing transport trials in the UK. As safety concerns continue to grow, the debate over their future is far from resolved.

Whether the UK decides to ban e-scooters, or opts for a more balanced approach, will depend on how well it can address both the benefits and risks these increasingly popular vehicles bring to urban transport.