We are pleased that the government will be consulting industry experts on how e-scooters can be safely used on UK roads. RoSPA has been calling for this review after receiving reports of accidents involving e-scooters in the UK and other European cities. This consultation is now urgent following the first fatal road accident involving an e-scooter rider in the UK last year.
Clearly a wide and informed discussion is necessary to allow for legalisation to catch up with available transport technology such as e-scooters. Some of the safety implications that will need to be considered include determining if e-scooters should classified as a vehicle, whether wearing a helmet and having lights will be mandatory and if there ought to be a minimum legal age to ride an e-scooter. RoSPA would also like to see firm and legally-binding safety standards introduced into the production of e-scooters. RoSPA looks forward contributing to this upcoming consultation.