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E-scooters should not be legalised.
I disagree Oliver. They should, and it's inevitable. It's also good.
To fess up I'm working on e-scooter training materials ahead of the London Trials due to happen soon. For this work I have been given an e-scooter to use, and have made many trips on it over the past 3 months. Obviously, riding it like I would a cycle in terms of road positioning, awareness, communication and the Highway Code.
It's been interesting work and changed completely my view of them.
I have had not one negative interaction with drivers or other road users. Generally quite the opposite -though since I ride in the manner I do communication is clear with the usual smile and thank you waves as necessary.
It is not an inactive mode (which surprised me), I ride it like people ride a snowboard (so they tell me), using 'ankling' to turn, and leaning After a longish scoot I feel it in my calves and thighs, and core.
I have found it replaces some trips I would usually cycle, avoiding the faff of locking my cycle. Seems shopkeepers have no issue with me bringing in the shop, unfolded.
The diversity of people who I have noticed as fellow scooters in terms of ethnicity, age and gender is noticeable. Many who wouldn't consider cycling as thing.
In terms of road danger reduction, I'm sure you'll agree that scooter riders are not likely to cause much harm compared to motor drivers (Speed capping and weight- low momentum), even though the usual nergers will be waiving their fists at the occasional pavement scooting and rljing. In fact adding these riders to the mix on streets, another vulnerable-looking road user could have the effect of making drivers much more careful when sharing such modally mixed roads.
Finally the looks and attention, questions and comments I have had are indicative of a huge appetite for this simple transport solution with no local emissions - and if the batteries can be charged from renewable sources, then what not to like?
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skydancer
@Oliver Schick
I'm not clear from this ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/legalising-rental-e-scooter-trials-defining-e-scooters-and-rules-for-their-use/legalising-rental-e-scooter-trials
... whether the trials have been enabled using new secondary legislation, or whether they think they can simply enable them by classing them as having to follow the requirements for motor vehicles.
Either way, trialling and possibly allowing them is simply a misjudgement. E-scooters should not be legalised.
For the time being, they are being treated in trials as motor vehicles, with the insurance requirement resting on the provider, and they want to treat them like electrically-assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) later.