Electric scooters are gaining popularity in a lot of countries around the world. They are cheaper than taxis, require less physical effort than bicycles, and are more convenient than public transport.
But along with the popularity of this kind of transport, the number of accidents is also growing, which arouses a significant concern among society and the state.
In July 2019, the first (according to the British press) fatal accident involving an electric scooter occurred in London.
35-year-old actress, TV presenter and blogger Emily Hartridge died after crashing into a truck on an electric scooter. The doctors who arrived at the scene of the accident had nothing to do but declare her death.
A wave of calls for prohibiting electric scooters on the roads pushed the government to develop rules for their use.
On the one hand, under The Highway Act 1835, horses, donkeys, sheep, mules, pigs, cattle, or other means of transport are prohibited from entering pedestrian lanes.
On the other hand, the Road Traffic Act 1988 restricts electric transport modes to the roadway - at least until electric scooters have a registration, and drivers start paying road taxes, getting special permits, insurance and wearing helmets.
A solution was found in June 2020. Minister of Transport Rachel McLean announced a trial period allowing the use of rental electric scooters.
Local authorities and autonomous administrations involved in this project have the right to authorize or restrict electric scooter rental schemes at their discretion.
The trial period should last 12 months. The main task is to understand how electric scooters impact car traffic and how safe they are for drivers and pedestrians.
According to the new rules, driving on sidewalks is strictly forbidden. Operating speed is limited to 15.5 mph, while helmets are recommended for especially active drivers. Drivers will need a full or temporary license for a car, a motorcycle or a moped, and they must be over 16 years old.
In order to avoid the flow of unlicensed electric scooters, the rules apply only to rental schemes.
Privately owned scooters are still prohibited on public roads.