Transport Insights

Micromobility is another issue on which the government’s lack of dynamism is causing frustration, with the failure to bring forward legislation in the King’s Speech to legalise e-scooters on public roads drawing new criticism from campaigners.

In an article on TransportXtra, Richard Dilks, chief executive of national shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), pointed out that the government had previously committing to doing so when parliamentary time allows and described the absence of legislation as “a significant blow that will prolong uncertainty and deter investment”.

Of course, “when parliamentary time allows” is merely a function of the government’s priorities, which is what the King’s Speech is meant to set out, and Dilks urged the government “to rethink its timeline”.

CoMoUK was a signatory to an open letter sent to the Prime Minister called for legislation to create a new powered light vehicle class, giving e-scooters and other e-mobility options access to public roads.

The letter was also signed by operators including Lime, Voi, and Bolt, local councillors, and transport and environmental organisations such as Campaign for Better Transport and Clean Cities.

Dilks described the failure to legislate as “deeply frustrating”, adding:

The UK remains the only country in Europe that has not yet legalised them, and these continuing delays directly contradict the government’s own goals for integrated transport.

By failing to legislate, the government is condemning operators and local authorities to endless trials, leaving them stuck in limbo and holding back economic growth.

Also on TransportXtra, Max Sugarman of Intelligent Transport Systems UK noted the absence of a long-term legal framework for e-scooters and legislation relating to the Road Safety Strategy.

However, Transport Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury said:

Important consultations on road safety measures have recently concluded so we are not surprised that the Government isn’t yet ready to announce legislation in this area, but the Committee looks forward to examining the ambitions and potential effectiveness of the Government’s strategy which might entail future changes to the law.

Cadbury also welcomed the move to introduce a national database of all licensed taxis and hire vehicles and additional enforcement powers for the Civil Aviation Authority.