Rising demand for e-scooter rental in London - TfL

"According to TfL's data, 0.0007% of rental e-scooter trips resulted in serious injury. There have been no fatalities during the trial. The report said 95% of trips on the e-scooters ended in designated parking bays and that the data was 'evidence that rental e-scooters can be effectively integrated into the capital's transport network'."

"Sarah Gayton from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) said rental escooters were 'disruptive and dangerous' to pedestrians. She pointed out that, despite assurances made in 2021 by London's walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman - who told BBC London that escooter parking bays would not be placed on pavements - the reality had not matched the promise."

"Helen Sharp, from TfL, said the next phase of the trial would 'play a crucial role in informing future legislation and policy' on e-scooters. Islington is one that is not participating in the trial. Its executive member for environment, air quality, and transport, Rowena Champion, said the borough had 'concerns about potentially negative safety and accessibility impacts'."

London's e-scooter rental demand increased by more than 50% between September 2024 and September 2025, with over 2 million trips completed compared to 1.3 million in the previous year. The Transport for London trial scheme, operated by Voi and Lime, represents the only legal way to use electric scooters on London roads. Safety data shows 0.0007% of trips resulted in serious injury with no fatalities recorded. Ninety-five percent of trips ended in designated parking bays. However, concerns remain about pedestrian safety and accessibility, particularly regarding parking bay placement on pavements and potential trip hazards. Some London boroughs, including Islington, have opted out of the trial citing safety and accessibility concerns.

Read at www.bbc.com