Why and how electric scooters should be legalised in the UK POSTED ON 22/07/2019

A Micro manifesto for the legalisation of electric scooters in the UK

WHY ELECTRIC SCOOTERS SHOULD BE LEGALISED

As we all know current legislation involving electric scooters are based on an antiquated from the 1800’s. (really, you can read more about that here >>).

As a leading manufacturer and retailer of electric scooters for adults and kids we would like to work with legislators and wider communities to devise a sensible plan for legal use of electric scooters in the UK.

We believe legislation needs to keep up with behaviour. We see electric scooter use as part of the solution to the very real issue of urban congestion, air quality, obesity and more. People use electric bikes why not electric scooters?

There are numerous examples of electric scooters being used legally on private land – which in our opinion proves the viability of electric scooter use. For example, electric scooters were introduced into the Olympic Park. Business parks such as Chiswick Business Park are embracing electric scooters on their private land to help thousands of workers who use the campus to get around quickly and easily. Places such as Silverstone race track have a fleet of electric scooters to help get their employees around on race days. There are small micro communities all over the UK who are thinking of innovative, sustainable ways to move people and goods around – we are excited to be a part of that.

We do believe that it is time for legislators and legislation to embrace change. Lots of countries around the world are realising the benefits of electric scooter use to solve micro mobility problems.

THE BARRIERS TO LEGALISATION OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

We understand there may be some concerns about electric scooters in the UK. However, the worries are something we have faced before. 15 years ago we brought the first children’s Micro Scooters to the UK.

Until then children scooting to school was almost unheard of and very rarely seen. Nearly 15 years later there are 1 million children scooting to school*. That’s 1 million less cars on the road during rush hour. That means cleaner air around our children’s schools. That means healthier, active kids.

We remember very clearly the outcry by some parts of the media around children scooting to school without helmets. Now it is common place to see children scooting to school with a helmet. Now, one in two children’s scooters is sold with a helmet.

So electric scooters may not be the norm now but we firmly believe in less than 10 years time it will and should be a common occurrence on the UK’s roads and pavements.

HOW ELECTRIC SCOOTERS SHOULD BE LEGALISED. A MICRO MANIFESTO

We believe every electric scooter rider should

wear a helmet
install a light so to be seen
adult electric scooter riders should travel on the road in a green lane i.e. current bike lanes
children’s electric scooter riders should travel on the pavement

How can e-scooter manufacturers and retailers be accountable?

We believe retailers and manufacturers should:

offer a service package to ensure e-scooters are maintained and safe to use
be a part of creating infrastructure for safe e-scooter use e.g. charging points, green lanes
encourage safe scooting use and etiquette

THE FUTURE OF MICRO MOBILITY

At Micro we are committed to providing the very best solutions to transform the everyday. Whether that’s the journey to work, the ride to school, the A-B hops and everything in between. From revolutionising the school run to making the commute a thing of joy. Our range of innovative products from kids scooters, adult electric scooters, electric cars and even stand up paddle boards are a cutting edge fit for a 21^st Century world.

It is therefore simply bewildering innovative solutions are left to stall because legislation is still in place from when horse and carts were a regular occurrence. We all know our towns and cities are getting busier, more cramped, more polluted. We, along with others have the solutions and are ready and willing to help make change happen. We urge lawmakers to work with us to make this happen sooner rather than later.

Find out more about our electric scooters >>

Find out more about the Micro Lino – our new electric car >>

*based on Micro Scooters UK sales figures