E-scooter road traffic collisions hit record high despite the UK insisting vehicles can reduce pollution
Experts have warned of a rise in e-scooter incidents
PA
The number of e-scooters and electric bikes involved in road traffic collisions across a major region has skyrocketed in the past five years.
According to a Freedom of Information request, there have been 234 incidents recorded by Essex Police, with 302 e-scooter injuries recorded between 2019 and 2022.
E-scooters have been available to rent around Essex since 2019 when they were originally being temporarily trialled out, but after gaining huge popularity around England, e-scooters trials have now been extended until 2026.
E-scooters can currently be rented in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsfordand Colchester.
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E-scooter trials have been extended nationwide until 2026
GETTYEssex Police stated: “The Government’s Department for Transport has made orders that only the designated hire scooters are legal for the trial period and in the trial areas.
“Trials are currently being run across the country in various locations. Any e-scooters used anywhere other than the trail areas remain illegal (unless used on private land).”
But while a popular form of transport, Essex Police has had to seize them off riders who use them irresponsibly. In 2023, the police seized 122 scooters from riders, a drop compared to 2022 when 244 were taken and 307 in 2021.
Last month, CoMoUK called on the Transport Secretary to legalise e-scooters so they could be regulated properly.
In a letter to the Government, Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “Legalisation would improve safety standards and clear away the negative perceptions of e-scooters that have arisen largely due to the total lack of regulation.
“Given how popular shared e-scooters have proven in trial areas in England, it could also make a significant contribution to helping the UK meet its climate change targets.”
He added that as the UK looks to move to becoming net zero, e-scooters and bikes could be the way forward, once they are regulated safely.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards, told GB News that questions about how safe e-scooters are “will remain until we have a review about their legal status”.
He added: “It will be difficult to put the e-scooter genie back in the bottle given their popularity as a form of urban mobility in city centres, but serious consideration must now be given to whether a form of training is required prior to use.
“In addition, we must ensure that these devices are built to a specific legal standard with speed limiters.”
The current rules prohibit e-scooters from going faster than 15.5mph, this is the same speed as e-bikes which are also banned from exceeding the limit and must have a maximum power output of 250 watts.
To rent an e-scooter, riders must have a minimum provisional driving licence or a valid full licence from an EU or European Economic Area country.
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E-scooters are capped at 15.5mph
GETTYThey also must have insurance, but this should already be taken care of by the e-scooter rental operator.
In Essex, the scooters are being operated by TIER Mobility and can only be used by the account holder.
Essex Highways warned: “If someone else other than the account holder is riding the e-scooter it will be uninsured. Both the rider and account holder will be liable for a £300 fine and six points on their driving licence.
“Do not at all times let your family or friends ride by using your account to protect everyone's safety.”