Sadiq Khan’s transport bosses are ‘considering’ increasing the maximum e-scooter speed to 15.5 mph and lowering the age limit for riders to 16.
This proposal is being considered despite the fact 35 people have been hospitalised in London with ‘serious injuries’ since e-scooter rental trials were launched in the capital in 2021 as part of a ‘green transport revolution’.
At present, the almost 5,000 rental scooters in London cannot exceed a speed of 12.5mph.
But according to The Telegraph, a report by London council’s has revealed that Transport for London wants to significantly increase the speed to a breakneck 15.5mph.
They also want to lower the age limit for riders to 16 – as long as users have a provisional licence.
Currently, the two e-scooter operators working in London set their own age limit rules.
Fluorescent green e-scooter and e-bike company Lime insists all riders are 18. Voi only requires users to be 16.
In Britain the national speed limit for e-scooters is 15.5mph but some cities – such as London – have opted for a lower max speed limit.
The London Council report explains that TFL hopes that these rule adjustments will support the ‘longevity’ of the e-scooter trial and help the business ‘stay competitive’.
But e-scooters are causing massive safety concerns. The latest Department for Transport data from 2022 reported that 1,402 collisions involved e-scooters in Britain.
Of this, 440 collisions resulted in ‘serious injury’ which is defined as those requiring hospital ‘in-patient’ treatment, fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushing, burns, severe cuts or injuries causing death 30 or more days after the collision.
Some 12 people were killed in accidents involving an e-scooter in 2022 including 11 riders and one pedestrian.
Reacting to TFL’s proposals, Sarah Gayton, a spokesperson for blind campaigning charity NFBUK, said: ‘It is insane that rental e-scooters are already terrifyingly fast compared to a walking pace.
She told The Telegraph: ‘Safety concerns are being ignored due to what appears to be pressure from e-scooter operators who are having too much influence on TfL policy.’
Defending the e-scooter trial, Helen Sharp, Tfl’s e-scooter trial lead claimed that ‘safety is at the core of our e-scooter trial with London having high safety standards.’
She added: ‘We have also considered increasing the speed limit to align with the national limit of 15.5mph but we will not be making a change to the trial’s maximum speed at this time.’
In the country’s capital, rental e-scooters are currently available for hire in Camden, City of London, Ealing (east of the borough only), Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Tower Hamlets (limited parking at Canary Wharf and some TfL stations) and Westminster.
Contracts for the devices in London have been extended until 2026.