Why buy an electric scooter

Electric scooters are quickly gaining momentum as the sustainable urban personal transport solution of the future. They have already proven to be hugely popular across the globe and in the UK where scooter rental schemes are being trialled throughout the UK. With the correct legislation, they have the potential of solving so many of the issues our cities face today, not least, toxic emissions, inefficiencies and overcrowding of our public transport networks and roads. So, why buy an electric scooter? Is it worth investing in your own scooter or should you rent one?

Renting an Electric Scooter

One of the greatest benefits of using an electric scooter is the ease and flexibility of transport, saving you both time and money – as well as doing your bit to save our planet! You can get from A to B significantly faster with average speeds of 14mph and due to their small size and portability, you can avoid the congestion that often builds up in cities throughout the day. Once you have reached your destination, you can park the electric scooter in a safe place and pick one up when you need it again. However, there are also some downsides to renting.

In recent months, rental scooters have developed a somewhat negative reputation. It has been reported that many residents in Silicon Valley (where electric scooters have been used since 2017) are not parking their rental scooters responsibly but instead leaving them on the side of the road or other areas where they risk becoming a hazard.

Another problem with rental scooters is that you may find yourself having to spend time hunting one down near you and when you do it may not be in the best condition, be fully charged or you may be restricted by the zone you’ll be allowed to park it without receiving a penalty.

And with the personal hygiene concerns due to Covid-19, you don’t know who’s used it previously so you’ll likely want to give it a good wipe down before hopping on.

Why Buy an Electric Scooter?

When it comes to buying your own electric scooter, on the other hand, you can enjoy all the benefits that a rented scooter brings without any of these cons.

Firstly, you won’t have to worry about damage from another user or low battery. With full control of the scooter, you can make sure it’s continuously maintained and fit it with or select an electric scooter with a larger battery to reduce the number of times it requires a charge. The customisation options available for scooters you buy are vast and allow you to own a scooter that works for you. You can pick a brand of your choice, which all vary in their weight, top speed, suspension, wheels size and tyre type and much more!

Once you have finished riding your scooter you can also park it responsibly where it is convenient for you – rather than being restricted to the zone defined by the scooter sharing app. You’ll never want to leave your own scooter lying around in the streets which reduces hazards for pedestrians, and you’ll benefit from having a fast and efficient transport whenever you need it.

So, what is the best option for you?

Whether you want to rent an electric scooter or buy your own, you’re looking at a win-win situation. Electric scooters are likely to be the game-changing solution for the future of sustainable and zero-emission personal transport. The more people who take part in this movement the fewer cars there will be on the roads of tomorrow. While riding personal electric scooters on public roads or pavements is not currently legal in the UK, electric scooters can be enjoyed on private land (with permission) so you can still enjoy your electric scooter while we all wait for the big change in legislation we’re all hoping for.

How Electric Scooters Can be Used to Transform Cities

Over the past few years, the use of electric scooters has grown significantly around Europe. Countries such as Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland have all legalised electric scooters for use on both public roads and pavements. However, in the UK the use of privately owned electric scooters is currently illegal on public highways. As a result, they are confined to private land with permission from the landowner.

From May 2020, the use of electric scooters was legalised but limited to approved hire schemes in Portsmouth, Southampton, Derby, Nottingham, the West Midlands and Wales only. This provided individuals with the ability to use an electric scooter in public with some restrictions and rules in place to ensure the safe trial of these schemes and has since expanded to cover more UK cities. As of June 2019, the electric scooter has proven to be extremely popular within these areas and for many, has already become a popular form of transport.

So, what does this mean for the future of the electric scooter not only in the UK but around the globe? If electric scooters were legalised in many more European and global cities, what impact could they have on the way we use transport and our environment?

Currently, road transport (cars, busses and trams) account for a third of all NOx emissions in Europe. They are the dominant source of such emissions in urban areas. On top of this, the European Environment Agency has estimated that road transport contributes to around 70% of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) production and an estimated 30% for particulate matter (PM). These statistics alone are a clear indication of the unsustainability of current transport methods. Would it be possible for electric scooters to become the new norm for transport within cities?

With the current public transport methods, we see vast inefficiencies leading to unnecessary emissions and pollution. Outside rush hour the majority of public transport remains relatively empty; we see large busses, trains and trams carrying only a handful of passengers. This leads to unnecessary pollution, congestion and particulate matter building up in larger cities, and as a result, there are many areas in which locals are suffering as a result. Electric scooters may prove to be a fantastic alternative for a number of reasons.

Firstly, they’re extremely efficient at transporting a single person. This would allow individuals to travel from one location to another, without waste. Should a person travel from A to B using their scooter instead of a bus, they will reduce the demand for busses and ultimately reduce the number of buses on the roads. Scooters can also replace cars in built-up, already congested areas. In these areas, cars are consistently stuck in traffic, wasting fuel and causing frustration for drivers. Being small and agile, multiple scooters could be used as a replacement for a car for many inner-city journeys. They can then be folded up and placed under the desk at the workplace, also reducing the demand for car parks in built-up areas.

This solution would help to improve the efficiency of our cities, allowing them to develop into thriving hubs in which sustainable living has become the new norm. With the right government policies, they may one day become the most common mode of transport in many modern cities.

When will electric scooters become legal in the UK?

In early 2020 it was declared by the UK Department for Transport that electric scooters will now be allowed on public roads for the first time. Although a common sight in many countries around the globe, electric scooters have not been legalised for use on UK roads, being deemed a potential hazard to both pedestrians and vehicles.

The legalisation of electric scooters is part of the UK Governments plan to revolutionise transport. The aim is to move towards a cleaner, more sustainable mode of transport and poses a range of benefits on otherwise crowded roads that we often see throughout London and many other areas of the UK.

Current Trials

As of May 2020, the use of electric scooters is limited to Portsmouth, Southampton, Derby, Nottingham, the West Midlands and Wales. On top of this, only rental scooters are allowed to be used, however, several reports have emerged of individuals using their personal scooters. Should the use of these alternative transport methods prove successful, they have the potential to completely overhaul how we use transport throughout the UK. As of currently, the speed of electric scooters is capped at 15.5mph and a provisional or full UK driver’s license is required for use on roads and pavements. On top of this, the user must have full insurance for the scooter and be aged 16 or over.

When it comes to safety, there is some confusion around wearing a helmet and additional protection. The latest Government guidelines state that it is recommended that individuals wear a helmet, however, this is not legally required. On top of this, additional protection that we often see on motorcyclists is also not required. It is predicted that the appropriate legislation will be created following the trial period, in which ministers will have a greater understanding of the danger hazards involved when using the electric scooter.

A Potential Future Mode of Transport?

Due to the current climate and social distancing measures, these scooters may actually provide individuals with the ability to travel to and from the workplace whilst maintaining a safe distance. Individuals using a scooter can avoid the risks of public transport altogether, as well as keep a safe distance throughout their commute. This will help to avoid mass build up on trains and busses, whilst also providing an eco-friendly mode of transport to and from the workplace.

In other countries throughout Europe, electronic scooters are commonly used by individuals through rental apps. Apps such as Lime, Bird, and even Uber have made the jump to these alternative travel methods. These companies have expressed their interest in developing their apps within the UK and have also presented the idea of using bike lanes for their scooters. Should a deal be reached between the UK Government and these companies, the use of the electric scooter could become a norm throughout society and a common method of transport within larger cities. In June 2020 the trial for electric scooters is set to be evaluated by the government and may be the first step for these vehicles being used in the UK.