Three companies, Dott, Lime and Tier, have been approved to operate e-scooter trials in London.

The devices will only legally be allowed to be used on roads and cycle paths in certain areas, and will not be permitted on pavements with pedestrians.

E-scooters are already used illegally in London prompting safety concerns. Last month a three year old boy was hospitalised when hit from behind by an e-scooter while out walking with his grandmother. Leading newspaper columnist Peter Hitchens told the Highways Voices podcast that they do nothing for mobility that walking and cycling couldn’t do.

Helen Sharp from Transport for London which is leading the trial gave her opinion that, “It’s clear that e-scooters could act as an innovative, greener alternative to car trips.”

E-scooters will be allowed in the Canary Wharf, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Richmond, City of London and Kensington and Chelsea areas.

(Picture – Lime)