Are electric scooters popular in urban centers in the UK?

Are electric scooters popular in urban centers in the UK?

In the UK, electric scooters, as an emerging means of transportation, are gradually becoming popular among urban residents. The following is a detailed analysis of the popularity of electric scooters in urban centers in the UK.

Sales growth and lagging regulations
Although electric scooters are not yet legal on the road in the UK, their sales increased by 50% in 2019. This growth shows that public interest and demand for electric scooters are still rising despite legal restrictions. In addition, the number of inquiries increased by 70% compared with 2018, showing a high level of attention to electric scooters

Trial operation of shared electric scooters
Starting in June 2021, London began trial operation of shared electric scooters in designated areas, and due to good operating results, the service has been expanded to most areas of London. The success of this trial program shows that electric scooters have received a positive response in urban centers in the UK.

Reflection of popularity
In a trial, there were more than 5,000 rides in just 5 days, which shows the popularity of the electric scooter service. However, the trial was forced to stop due to the presence of e-scooters on sidewalks and pedestrian areas, which poses a particularly high risk to people with disabilities. Nevertheless, this data still proves the popularity of e-scooters in UK city centers.

Environmental and traffic impact
E-scooters are believed to ease congestion and reduce pollution in city centers. A report by Inrix found that electric scooters and bicycles completed the last mile of the journey at an average speed of 12 miles per hour, faster than ordinary vehicles in Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield and London. This shows that e-scooters have potential advantages in improving urban traffic efficiency and reducing environmental pollution.

Safety and regulatory challenges
Although e-scooters are popular in UK city centers, there are also some challenges. For example, another trial of e-scooters was suspended due to reckless driving. In addition, e-scooters need to comply with EAPCs regulations when traveling in the UK, and currently e-scooters do not meet the basic standards for UK vehicles to be on the road. Therefore, despite their popularity, the popularity of e-scooters in the UK still faces regulatory and safety challenges.

Conclusion
In summary, e-scooters have been welcomed to a certain extent in UK city centers, especially in terms of improving traffic efficiency and environmental protection. However, due to regulatory restrictions and safety issues, the popularity and use of electric scooters in the UK still faces some challenges. As the government further consults and improves the legislation on electric scooters, it is expected that the popularity of electric scooters in the UK city centers will continue to grow.