House of Commons · Westminster Hall
22 May 2024 · 4 other contributors · 7,853 words
Opened by Barry Sheerman Lab Huddersfield
Responding minister: Anthony Browne
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Barry Sheerman raised concerns about e-scooters: deaths and serious injuries in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Sheerman urged for an appropriate legislative framework to regulate e-scooters, increasing awareness about current regulations, ensuring that the police have adequate capacity to enforce them, and addressing issues related to insurance and penalties for illegal riders. He emphasized the need to act quickly before the issue becomes a national epidemic.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Barry Sheerman expressed concern about the growing number of e-scooter-related deaths and serious injuries since 2019, with around 37 fatalities. He highlighted that there are an estimated 750,000 to 1 million e-scooters being ridden illegally on UK roads. Sheerman also mentioned incidents where people were killed or seriously injured due to lack of regulation on protective gear and insurance, as well as the ease with which speeds can be increased beyond legal limits.
The sector is unregulated, with over 1 million e-scooters in use in the UK. The Government promised regulation but failed to deliver. Since July 2023, parliamentary time has been available for legislation on micromobility vehicles including e-scooters, yet nothing was brought forward. DFT data shows more than half of e-scooter collision casualties involve illegally ridden e-scooters outside pilot areas.
The MP highlighted the need for better regulation of e-scooters, noting nearly 1,500 casualties in collisions involving e-scooters in 2022, including 12 deaths. She criticised the lack of enforcement and urged for a new regulatory framework to ensure safety.
While serving as lead member for environment and climate change at South Somerset District Council, Sarah Dyke introduced an e-scooter trial which was successful with only eight recorded accidents. She questions whether legal e-scooter usage can help rural communities reduce car use for short journeys.
Calls for clear government regulation on e-scooter safety, citing stakeholder frustration over prolonged uncertainty. Highlights the need for data collection to understand safety impacts and expresses concern over under-reporting of accidents involving e-scooters. Mentions Guide Dogs' research showing significant impact on people with sight loss due to unregulated e-scooters. Discusses risks associated with privately owned e-scooters, including chemical fires from charging at home.
Government Response
Anthony BrowneCongratulated the hon. Member for Huddersfield on bringing the debate, highlighting the need to regulate e-scooters while learning from trials and other countries' regulations. Addressed concerns about deaths and serious accidents, mentioning 12 deaths in 2022 with two within trials; four total deaths on trial scooters. Emphasized the importance of collecting data for informed legislation, noting that the current regime is unregulated due to e-scooters being illegal without trials. Discussed product safety standards, fire risks, and pavement parking issues. Mentioned learning from trials and improving police and trial data collection.