Demand from lower income people to legalise private e-scooters on roads, according to Pure Electric research

There is major demand amongst lower income people to legalise e-scooters, according to research from retailer Pure Electric. 

New research from the micromobility specialist chain shows the extent of the demand for the Government to legalise e-scooter use on the roads in the UK.

Currently privately-owned e-scooters are subject to similar legislation as mopeds, meaning riders needs to be taxed and insured to ride legally on public roads.

While there are Government-backed scooter rental schemes running across the UK, there is no clear indication about if or when authorities will legalise private-use scooters, as a number of trial projects nationwide have been extended until November.

Pure Electric founder, Adam Norris, has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling for legislation to be included in the upcoming Queen’s Speech to allow for the use of e-scooters on the roads.

Norris said: “E-scooters can deliver a genuine modal shift across the UK, reducing emissions and significantly  improving the air quality in our local communities. Our new data shows that the benefits will be  particularly significant for those on the lowest incomes. E-scooters solve a particular social need for  those who are struggling to afford other commuting options and don’t have the space to store a bike.  With the cost of commuting rising significantly at the same time as people are returning to the  workplace at scale, legalising and regulating e-scooter use is a no brainer.  

“We need the government to act now, bringing forward legislation this year. We want to see the UK  introduce the world’s most ambitious regulatory framework that protects all road users while ensuring  that the benefits of e-scooters can be realised.”

According to research carried out by Pure Electric, 63% of people would consider using an e-scooter if they were legalised, while more than half of this group have not yet ridden an e-scooter, even through a trial scheme.

Read more: ‘I have been a cyclist for over 25 years – but we need to offer alternatives’ 

Pure Electric said that over 13 million people earning under £25,000 a year would consider using e-scooters, and that low earners are more likely to use scooters to replace a car journey – around 75% of those earning under £25,000 say that all or most of their e-scooter journeys would replace a car trip, compared to 57% of people earning ore than £50,000.