Electric scooter safety

Riding e-scooters legally and safely

• The only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads or in other public places in London is as part of our e-scooter rental trial
• You're not allowed to ride or carry e-scooters (or e-unicycles) on our public transport network or in stations, even when folded. Read about your rights and duties when using TfL services

Our safety tips will help prevent serious injury to yourself and other road users when riding a rental e-scooter:

• Follow the safety and rider guidance from the provider - when hiring your e-scooter the operator will provide you with safety guidance and instructions
• Follow the rules of the road - e-scooters need to follow the rules of the road such as stopping at red lights, not riding on pavements and being considerate of all other road users including pedestrians
• Use protective equipment - wear a helmet and other safety equipment including light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight, poor light and in the dark
• Check road conditions - be careful if the roads are wet or icy. Keep an eye out for potholes, slippery drain covers, animals, children, bicycles and pedestrians or drivers. These could all lead to collisions with other road users
• Always ride solo - e-scooters are not built for two people, so no additional passengers are permitted by law
• Never ride under the influence - don't use a rental e-scooter if you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or have medical restrictions or exceptions. This puts you and others at risk of death or injury
• Luggage - don't carry more than you need to. Hanging a bag off the handlebars or on one shoulder can throw you off balance which can increase the risk of injuries
• Mobile phones - pull over when safe if you need to check your phone for directions to a destination. The usual rules for motorists about mobile phone use applies to rental e-scooters
• Take a test ride - take it slow when getting to grips with a rental e-scooter. The acceleration can be unexpected. Learning to turn and brake at different speeds and on different surfaces will help you become a better rider
• Leave the rental e-scooter in a designated parking bay - leave the e-scooter standing up in one of the designated parking bays and out of the way of other road users at the end of a ride

Check before you ride

Double check all aspects of your rental e-scooter are working before starting your journey. Here's a list of some of the things you should check before riding:

1. Tyres - check that air-filled tyres are inflated correctly. For all tyre types, check there's no visible damage or wear and they have enough tread depth
2. Brakes  - check that brakes are working properly
3. Battery  - check that there is enough battery for you to complete your whole journey
4. Throttle - test your throttle out in a safe space. The throttle should be smooth with no sticking
5. Damage - check for no obvious damage or cracks in the frame or cabling

E-Scooter Training

Lime and Voi have partnered with Bikeworks to offer free e-scooter training sessions. Participants will receive a free helmet and free ride codes for taking part. The sessions have been designed for those new to using an e-scooter and are a fun way to learn how to ride safely and with confidence.

For more information and to sign up visit bikeworks.