London's e-scooter trial expands to a third of boroughs
A third of London's boroughs now host e-scooter trials, Transport for London (TfL) has announced, with Wandsworth being the latest to join.The trial, run by TfL and London Councils with operators Voi and Lime, offers the only legal way to drive electric e-scooters on the capital's roads.Private e-scooters used on public roads are illegal as they have no required minimum safety standards, whereas the e-scooters used in the trial have to meet strict safety standards exceeding national requirements, including a 12.5mph (20 km/h) speed limit and always-on lights, TfL said.The trial is contracted to run until 25 September 2025, with potential for extensions of up to one year.
New data from TfL reveals more than five million trips have been taken on rental e-scooters across the capital, covering over 10 million kilometres, since the trial's launch in June 2021.According to the figures, demand is increasing, with a 27% rise in customers taking more than one ride and about 7% of journeys now replacing car trips.Wandsworth's inclusion brings an additional 35 km² (13.5 miles²) and about 170 parking bays, a TfL spokesperson said.The total trial area is now approximately 300 km² (116 miles²) with 1,300 bays. London's trial is one of the largest running nationally, with a fleet of over 4,000 vehicles.
According to TfL's data, 0.0004% of rental e-scooter trips resulted in serious injury and injury risk rate had decreased year on year. There have been no fatalities during the trial.Helen Sharp, TfL's e-scooter trial lead, said: "We are delighted to celebrate the latest results of the London rental trial as it expands to cover new areas in Wandsworth."Ms Sharp added TfL had "put safety at the heart of the trial and regularly review trial performance".Will Norman, London's walking and cycling commissioner, said: "The data clearly shows that the rental e-scooter trial has helped to boost sustainable and active travel transport in our city, with over five million journeys made since it launched, and it has also laid bare the significant difference in safety between private and rental scooters."
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