London e-scooters: More than 2.5 million journeys made in two years, says TfL

Over 2.5 million e-scooter journeys have been made since the rental trial first launched in London two years ago.

New data released by Transport for London (TfL), London Councils and e-scooter operators Dott, Lime and Tier, covering June 2021 to Nov 2022, shows the progress made during the first phase of the London rental e-scooter trial.

The trial first launched in June 2021 in five boroughs (plus Canary Wharf) and has since expanded to 10, with more than 600 designated parking locations.

Today more than 5,000 e-scooter vehicles are available to rent across the capital, with the average journey time being 17 minutes and the average distance travelled being 2.5km.

Rental e-scooters are the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads or in other public places within London and even then it is only legal in the 10 listed boroughs.

It is still illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters or other powered transporters on public roads.

The current trial of rental e-scooters is expected to run to autumn 2023.

Which boroughs can I rent an e-scooter in?

You can legally rent an e-scooter from Dott, Lime or Tier in the following boroughs

• Camden
• City of London
• Ealing
• Hammersmith & Fulham
• Kensington and Chelsea
• Lambeth (north of the borough only)
• Richmond upon Thames
• Southwark
• Tower Hamlets (limited parking at Canary Wharf and some TfL stations)
• Westminster

E-Scooters on public transport

It is illegal to carry e-scooters or e-unicycles on TfL services or in stations, even when folded.

This law was brought into force in December 2021 after incidents of privately owned e-scooters catching fire on the TfL network.

Those who do not comply with this law can face a fine of up to £1,000.

E-scooter safety

TfL says the trial has focussed on safety throughout, with rental e-scooters having a speed limit of 12.5mph, larger wheels and lights that are always on throughout any rental.

To use an e-scooter, you need to be 18, you need to have a driving licence and you need to have the physical ability to ride the scooter safely.

Greener travel

Rental e-scooter are also zero emission and therefore considered a green and sustainable form of transport that could help reduce congestion and improve air quality in London.

Data from the first 18 months of the trial shows that more than the equivalent of 249 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been saved by the e-scooter trips, with 32% of users combining their journey with a mode of public transport.

TfL is working to finalise contracts for the next phase of the trial, following an open procurement process.

Seb Dance, deputy mayor for Transport, said:"We’ve been clear that the trial must be focussed on safety and support the Mayor’s Vision Zero target to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads.

“The rental vehicles in London have high safety standards which go beyond the national standards, including speed limits and parking limited to clearly marked bays, to ensure the safety of anyone riding rental e-scooters and other members of the public.”

Helen Sharp, TfL’s e-scooter trial lead, said: “E-scooters could play an important role in ensuring a green and sustainable future for London and we are delighted to be celebrating the two-year anniversary of the London rental trial. We’re working closely with operators, councils and people across London to build on our plans for the next phase of the trial, which will help us build on its successes so far.

“We hope Londoners and visitors can continue to benefit from the trial and we will continue to use its data to learn more about the role e-scooters could play in helping people move around London sustainably.”