Stories

Wed, 22 Jul 2026

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters

Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
Safety concerns:
* E-scooter usage has increased, leading to a rise in accidents and casualties.
* In 2024, 1,390 casualties were recorded in collisions involving e-scooters in England, Scotland, and Wales.
* Many of these accidents involve young boys and men.
* Some coroners have raised concerns about the lack of safety measures on privately owned e-scooters. Calls for regulation:
* Campaigners believe that regulation is urgently needed to ensure public safety.
* Carly Calland, whose 14-year-old son died in a collision with an e-scooter, believes that mandatory helmets, a ban on carrying passengers, and penalties for parents allowing children to ride illegally are necessary. Current situation:
* Privately owned e-scooters are not regulated, making it difficult to enforce safety measures.
* The UK government has supported the idea of a new law to legalize and regulate e-scooters available for sale but has yet to take action. International context:
* Some European cities have ended their shared e-scooter schemes due to concerns over safety.
* Major cities like Paris and Brussels have announced plans to end their schemes in 2027. Future prospects:
* The UK government plans to consult on longer-term rules, including registration and licensing requirements, within the next year.
* However, campaigners believe that more needs to be done to address the current lack of regulation. Overall, the article highlights the need for urgent action to regulate e-scooters and ensure public safety.