Image: TfL
TfL and London Councils, alongside participating boroughs, have launched the second phase of the capital’s rental e-scooter trial.
The three operators, Dott, Lime and Voi, were selected earlier this summer following a competitive procurement process, where their ability to meet strict safety requirements and high operating standards was carefully assessed.
The trial’s next phase will look to build on its existing success by gathering more data to inform policy on rental e-scooters and trialling further innovations.
This includes trialling new technology such as AI to improve parking compliance and exploring the use of pavement riding detection technology and audible vehicle alerts.
Over the past two years, TfL and London Councils have worked with participating London boroughs and operators to improve the use of geofencing technology and increase the number of parking bays, with more than 600 parking bays now available across the trial area.
This effort to improve the customer experience for rental e-scooter users will continue throughout this next phase. The trial currently runs in ten London boroughs who have chosen to take part. The next phase will see an expansion in coverage, including to the south of Lambeth with around 190 new parking bays later this year.
TfL says safety will continue to be at the heart of the London trial, with rental e-scooters offering a number of safety benefits over private e-scooters (which remain unlawful on public roads).
These include:
- A lower maximum speed of 12.5mph
- Lights at the front and the rear of the vehicles that are always on throughout any rental
- GPS controlled parking and no-go zones
- A unique identification number plate on every vehicle
- A higher standard for fire and battery safety management
With fewer than 0.001% of trips so far resulting in a serious injury, TfL says the trial’s strong safety record to date demonstrates the benefits of clear standards and elevated safety requirements for e-scooters.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “London’s rental e-scooters are a great way to get around London, provided that they’re used and parked safely.
The first phase of the e-scooter trial has been hugely popular and the findings are helping us develop our approach in London.
“I look forward to TfL launching the next phase, to see how e-scooters can be rolled out successfully in the capital, building a better, greener, safer London for all.”
Helen Sharp, TfL’s e-scooter trial lead, said: “London’s trial of rental e-scooters is gathering hugely valuable data and insights about e-scooters, having successfully delivered more than three million trips so far with operators Dott, Lime and TIER.
“The successes of the first phase of the trial and efforts from these operators alongside London Councils and the participating boroughs allows us to build on this through the next phase of the trial which will make it even safer, easier and more convenient to use e-scooters through a rental scheme.”
03 October 2023