E-scooters need to be more tightly regulated in order to encourage their use in the UK, according to a collection of insurance groups.
A number of insurance organisations have written to the Government to reiterate their support of sustainable transport methods like electric scooters, but have also set out a number of safety concerns.
The insurance groups – including the International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) – said that e-scooters should be subject to an insurance requirement or related contribution if motorists could be liable in the case of incidents.
Chris Jones, director of legal and market services at the IUA, said: “Illegal use of e-scooters currently presents a significant risk to riders, pedestrians, and other road users. It is essential that an appropriate and effective regulatory system is introduced at the earliest opportunity.”
The joint letter, address to secretary of state for transport Grant Shapps, was co-signed by the IUA, the ABI, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), and the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), and calls for:
Further recommendations include:
James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the ABI said: “The insurance industry is committed to working with Government to ensure e-scooter regulation strikes the right balance between ensuring public safety on the one hand and encouraging innovative approaches to transport on the other.”
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Executive director of BIBA, Graeme Trudgill said: “BIBA supports the introduction of new green and financially economical forms of mobility, however for Government to legalise e-scooters in a responsible way, they need to bring forward robust regulations and effective enforcement.”
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