UK's Largest E-Scooter Trials Heading to London

UK's largest e-scooter trial to take place in London in early 2021.

08:25 21 November 2020

Transport for London (TfL) is preparing for the largest e-scooter trial in early 2021. The scheme will be run by participating boroughs, TfL and pan-London governing body London Councils. To date, 32 boroughs in London have expressed an interest in participating in the pilots, which is expected to last for a year. 

 

The scheme will see London join other major UK cities that have introduced micromobility devices, including Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. 

 

Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s Director of Transport Innovation, said: “Safety will be our number one priority during this e-scooter rental trial, which will be critical to providing us the data and insights we need to determine whether e-scooters are a viable part of a greener and healthier future for London.”

 

Firms like Voi, LINK, Lime, TIER and Bird have already indicated their interest in joining the trials. 

 

Fredrik Hjelm, Voi’s CEO, said: “We welcome the start of the tender process to run e-scooter trials in the capital. London is a world-leader in the provision of public transport and has been at the forefront of integrating technology and transport for many years, keeping this great city moving.

 

“Shared e-scooters offer London the ability to provide a safe, inclusive, carbon-free way for people to get around the capital quickly. We are confident that Voi can help to put London on a new path to a low-carbon micro-mobility future, while helping people return to the capital’s centre safely and thereby aid in the city’s economic recovery, replacing car trips.”