Operators Dott, Lime and Tier have reported that fewer than 0.01% of e-scooter trips as part of the first phase of London’s trial have resulted in serious injuries.
Since launching in June 2021, riders have made more than 2.5 million journeys, covering around 6.5 million kilometres. The trial includes a 5,000-vehicle fleet and more than 600 parking bays.
Overall, there were 4.2 serious injuries per million kms travelled.
The data is part of Transport for London’s (TfL) most recent report, which covers e-scooter rides taken between June 2021 and November 2022. In this period, no fatalities and 22 serious injuries were reported by operators.
Focusing on safety, TfL has set rules that go beyond national standards, including a speed limit of 12.5 mph, larger wheels and lights that are always on throughout any rental.
Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of national shared transport charity CoMoUK, told Zag Daily: “We are highly encouraged by the continued growth in rides provided by the scheme. The low number of serious incidents fits with the picture found in our own national research.
“Although the trial has achieved significant milestones, there is room for improvement by involving more boroughs, increasing the availability of parking spots, and expanding the number of e-scooters. Additionally, there is scope for removing routing restrictions for certain journeys.”
Margaret Winchcomb, Deputy Executive Director at PACTS (Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety) told Zag: “We are pleased to see TfL’s report, building on the safety-outcome information which they have been regularly publishing on their website over the last two years. It shows that a local authority and operators can work together to make safety data available to the public, both e-scooter users and others.
“It would be useful to compare the rate of 4.2 serious injuries per million km travelled with that for rental bike hire schemes in the city. Nationwide rates for serious injuries involving all types of pedal cycle are less than 1 per million km travelled.”
The report also states that e-scooter trips have saved more than 249 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. Additionally, 32% of users combined their journey with a mode of public transport.
TfL is now working to finalise contracts for the next phase, following an open procurement process.
