07 Jun E-Scooter rental scheme launched in H&F
On public roads, anyone using a privately-owned e-scooter outside of an organised rental scheme is likely to be committing a driving offence, such as driving a motor vehicle with no insurance. Riders can be liable for a fixed penalty of £300 and six points.
On pavements, it is generally always an offence to drive a motor vehicle, and this applies at all times to e-scooters and powered transporters.
However, from today, 7 June, a new trial scheme allows people to legally hire e-scooters which will be permitted to ride on public roads and cycle infrastructure in Hammersmith & Fulham, and other participating London boroughs.
The rental e-scooters are being provided by three different operators: Dott, Lime and TIER.
This trial scheme will be the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads or in other public places in Hammersmith & Fulham.
The rental fees for the e-scooters will be:
- Dott – £1 activation charge then 15p per minute
- Lime – £1 activation charge then 16p per minute
- TIER – £1 activation charge then 15p per minute.
“It’s an exciting and environmentally-friendly new way to get around in H&F. I urge everyone to enjoy it safely,” commented Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for the Environment.
“The scheme will ensure that anyone using an e-scooter rides safely and follows the rules of the road. If successful, it’s another step to improving our air quality as we work to becoming Britain’s greenest borough.”
The scheme – run in partnership with Transport for London and London Councils – will operate across H&F, Ealing, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond, City of London, as well as within the Canary Wharf area. Riders will also be able to pass through Tower Hamlets on a rental e-scooter. Participating boroughs will designate ‘no-go areas’ where e-scooters cannot be ridden and will come to a safe stop, as well as ‘go-slow areas’, where the speed of e-scooters will be reduced to 8mph.
For more information, read here.