The United Kingdom government fast-tracks its trial and the potential introduction of e-scooter schemes in the country in an attempt to encourage a safe and "green" mode of transport and ease public transport demand. This follows the lifting of coronavirus lockdown.

In the guidance for e-scooter operators released on Tuesday, June 30, the Department for Transport (DfT) said the first shared e-scooters will be available for rent next week. This guide allows authorities in England, Scotland, and Wales e-scooter sharing schemes as part of 12-month trials.

"To help support the green restart of local travel, trials should be operational as soon as possible following necessary changes to legislation, which will come into force on 4 July 2020," the DfT guidance writes.

However, DfT listed some limitations for the e-scooters, following the same regulations as e-bikes. After all, both vehicles have the same speed, size, and visibility.

Primarily, private e-scooters will remain illegal while shared e-scooters are not allowed on pavements. Riders must be at least 16 years old with a full or provisional car, motorcycle, or moped licenses to use the e-scooters. They are also advised to wear helmets and limited to drive up to 15.5mph.

Trials to commence next week in some areas

The BBC reported at least 50 local governments had shown interest in joining the trial, including Middlesbrough, where the scheme will run next week.

While this does not mean that this transport technology will be permanent, the statement is part of the 12-month-long trials, which the government originally planned to begin in 2021. These include trials for new modes of transportations like e-scooters, delivery drones, and self-driving cars.

The DfT hopes these trials would prevent low-quality e-scooters from filling in the roads. However, public schemes are dockless so that they will sprawl in public places, regardless of the quality of the e-scooters. Worse, these will create a nuisance and a trip hazard.

Disability awareness campaigners already aired against the e-scooters as they are worried about the increase in dockless devices will make it difficult to traverse through walkways safely. Similarly, traffic safety activists are also concerned that e-scooters will mostly be used on pedestrian walkways, despite laws banning their use on pavements.

In contrast, if private e-scooters were legalized, people would fold their devices or park them more carefully. Generally, people care less if they do not own the devices, as proven by other schemes.

Meanwhile, the trials are originally planned for 12 months, but governments may continue beyond this one year, although it will be subject to the local or national government's agreement.

Governments will provide a summary report every six weeks to ensure objectives and timescales are followed. They are also required to remain in constant contact with registered local areas and operators to track these trials' progress.

Since e-scooters are convenient and easy to use, big cities in the UK may have a lot more e-scooters on the streets by summer. We can only hope that service providers would educate their clients on how to legally and safely use their e-scooters.

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