The second phase of rental e-scooters trial in London including Ealing has been launched by Transport for London (TfL), London Councils, 10 London boroughs and e-scooter operators Dott, Lime and Voi.
Ealing Council’s Councillor Deirdre Costigan, who is also acting chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee said: “Millions of e-scooter trips have been made since London’s rental e-scooter trial began two years ago, showing that Londoners are keen to take advantage of this sustainable mode of transport where properly regulated. Thanks to the boroughs taking part in the trial, London continues to be at the forefront of transport innovation that improves air quality and reduces carbon emissions.”
Councillor Costigan, Ealing Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action added: “Safety remains our top priority, and while private e-scooters remain illegal, we will continue to look closely at data and insights to see what regulations could allow e-scooters to play a part in a more sustainable future for London. We look forward to working with TfL and stakeholders to make the next phase of the trial a success and we are confident that rental e-scooters will continue to provide an alternative to car-based travel in the capital.”
The trial’s next phase will be looking to build on what operators have said has been a successful phase one. This new phase will gather more data to inform policy on rental e-scooters and trialling further innovations. Among the new improvements will be trialling new technology including AI to improve parking compliance and how to ensure riders do not scoot on pavements.
Will Norman, London’s Walking & 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. There are also new improvements planned on parking compliance and an increase in the number of parking spaces and in the number of boroughs taking part.”
Jack Samler, Voi regional manager for UK, France and Ireland, said: “We are bringing our experience from operating around the UK and Europe to London. We can’t wait to get Londoners using our vehicles, whether it’s for their commute, to head to the shops, or to visit friends. Using e-scooters is a safe, convenient and sustainable way to travel in London.”
Michael Ventouris, general manager, London at Dott said: “The first phase of London’s e-scooter trial has successfully shown that shared e-scooters can provide an efficient, safe and reliable service, carefully integrated into the city to respect all residents. We look forward to working closely with TfL and the other operators to continue to grow the service, encouraging more people to switch from cars to sustainable alternatives and contributing to lower pollution and congestion in London.”
Hal Stevenson, director of policy UKI at Lime said: “We are excited to extend Lime’s partnership with TfL for phase two of London’s e-scooter trial scheme. We have worked closely together over the last two years to launch and deliver a safe, affordable and sustainable e-scooter service that many Londoners now trust and rely on to get around. During this time, we have collected vital data that will both help inform future national legislation, and that successfully shows Londoners are truly embracing greener, alternative modes of transport to get around the city.”
, London Councils, 10 London boroughs and e-scooter operators Dott, Lime and Voi.){kind=link}