Electric scooters
A new form of transport
We want to explore new, environmentally-friendly forms of transport that can be used to reduce road congestion in London - but we need to make sure that any alternatives are safe for both users and non-users alike.
The current rental e-scooter trial is helping us test the best ways to protect the public.
Rental e-scooters have specific safety features installed. For example, they are limited to a speed of 12.5mph and have lights that are always on throughout any rental.
The second phase of the rental trial, launched in September 2023, is being operated by Lime and Voi. This is in line with Department for Transport national guidance that allows e-scooter trials across the UK to run until 31 May 2026.
Use electric scooters legally
The London e-scooter rental scheme is approved by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Privately-owned e-scooters or other powered transporters are not legal to use on public roads.
E-scooters and powered transporters may be used on private land with permission from the landowner or occupier but several laws make it illegal and/or spell out the penalties if you're caught riding one on public roads:
- Driving a motor vehicle with no insurance - you could be liable for a fixed penalty of £300 and six points on your driving licence
- Driving vehicles on pavements is generally an offence - this applies at all times to all types of e-scooters and powered transporters
Some of the laws do not apply to mobility scooters or e-bikes (electrically-assisted pedal cycles) which are not treated as motor vehicles. The Gov.uk website has details of the law on powered transporters.
Scooters on public transport
You are not allowed to carry e-scooters or e-unicycles on TfL services or in our stations or other premises on our public transport network, even when folded. This safety step comes after defective lithium-ion batteries in privately-owned e-scooters and e-unicycles caused fires on our network.
You risk a fine of up to £1,000 if you don't comply.
E-scooters hired under our rental e-scooters trial have always been banned from TfL services because they cannot be folded. You can still carry - but not ride - non-motorised scooters on our services.
The London rental trial
Since June 2021 electric scooters (e-scooters) have been available to rent in a number of London boroughs.
We're running the trial with London Councils and participating London boroughs. Working together on a single trial means the trial can run consistently across participating boroughs, with safety at its core.
The rental e-scooters are currently provided by 2 different operators:
The operators were chosen after an open and competitive process to assess their ability to meet strict safety requirements and high operating standards. (For example, the scooter batteries can be monitored to ensure they meet fire safety regulations.)
Their e-scooters are now available for hire in:
- Camden
- City of London
- Ealing (east of the borough only)
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Lambeth
- Richmond upon Thames
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets (limited parking at Canary Wharf and some TfL stations)
- Westminster
A Traffic Order allows us to permit the use of electric scooters on TfL cycle tracks within the participating boroughs.
Why we're doing the trial
The e-scooter rental trial is part of a wider effort by TfL, London Councils, London boroughs and the UK Government to enable people to use new and greener forms of transport.
How to hire a rental electric scooter
You can rent the operators' e-scooters through their mobile phone apps. You will need to:
- Download the app of your chosen operator
- Complete the registration process including verifying your age and driving licence
- Complete the mandatory in-app education before your first ride
You will then be able to find an e-scooter. Use a QR code or vehicle ID displayed on the e-scooter to unlock that e-scooter in the relevant operator's app.
The e-scooter operators offer discounts to those who qualify to make riding a scooter more inclusive. Find out about:
Who to contact
To report an issue with an e-scooter, contact, Lime and Voi directly:
Lime
- Telephone: 0800 808 5223
- Email: support@li.me
Voi
- Telephone: 0808 501 5724
- Email: support@voi.com
For general information, or if you can't contact the operator directly:
- Use our Contact us about cycling form
- Telephone us on 0343 222 1234 (call charges)
Making safety a priority
The trial will help us to better understand how e-scooters can be used safely in London - and how we should develop policy in the future. We are taking steps to ensure that anyone using a rental e-scooter rides safely and follows the rules of the road as well as guidance from the rental operator.
The rental trial in London has been equipped with a number of safety features including:
- Riders must be 18 or over and hold at least a provisional driving license
- The speed limit of trial e-scooters is capped at 12.5mph
- All first time riders must to do mandatory education on how to ride safely in London
- The trial e-scooters are maintained to a high level and have large wheels to help navigate road surfaces more easily
- Lights at the front and rear of the vehicles are always on throughout any rental
Find safety guidance and tips on how to ride rental e-scooters safely and avoid serious injury to any road users.
For more information on safety see our published reports and risk assessment for rental e-scooters and our Safety, Sustainability & HR Panel paper.
Equality and inclusivity
Along with London Councils, we have worked with different groups to understand their views and concerns and the possible impact the rental e-scooter trial will have on them.
Our comprehensive equality impact assessment (EqIA) is kept under continual review. See the latest EqIA on our diversity and inclusions page.
