Summary:
- The UK government has extended national rental e-scooter trials until May 2028 to assess transport integration and safety.
- Ongoing trials launched in 2020 aim to inform future micromobility legislation using data on risks, usage, and benefits.
- Rental e-scooters require a driving license and follow road laws; privately owned units remain illegal on public roads.
- Local councils like Wandsworth are expanding access through new deals and incentives, including discounts on Lime Bikes.
- A third of London boroughs now participate, with Voi highlighting AI safety tech and improved financial results.
- The extension seeks to balance technological growth with public safety before a permanent transport policy is decided.
The UK government has announced an extension of its national rental e-scooter trials until May 2028, giving operators such as Voi and Lime further runway to test the viability and safety of these services across British cities. The initiative, first launched in 2020, was designed to assess how e-scooters might fit within the broader transport mix, examining everything from accident data to environmental benefits and urban integration.
“The trial extensions will allow us to gather critical information on how e-scooters are being used, what risks are emerging, and where the opportunities lie,” said a spokesperson from the Department for Transport. The department emphasized that current trials are helping to bridge gaps in evidence and will inform any future permanent legislation on micromobility.
Under the current framework, rental e-scooters remain classified as motor vehicles, requiring users to hold a valid driving licence and adhere to road traffic laws. Operators are mandated to implement safety features, including capped top speeds and lights that remain on at all times during use. Despite their increasing popularity, privately owned e-scooters continue to be prohibited on public roads, a distinction the government has maintained while it evaluates the broader implications of electric micromobility.
At the local level, councils are taking active roles in shaping how these trials unfold in their communities. In Wandsworth, south London, the council recently struck a deal with Voi, Lime, and Forest to expand the availability of e-scooters and e-bikes. As part of the initiative, riders can now access a 50% discount on Lime Bikes, alongside improved infrastructure that includes 170 designated parking bays.
London’s participation in the trials has also been expanding steadily. According to industry figures, around a third of the city’s boroughs are now involved. Voi, one of the primary operators, highlighted improved financial performance and the introduction of next-generation vehicles equipped with AI-driven safety features. In a recent partnership with commuter savings platform CycleSaver, the company reported that users were able to reduce their travel costs by almost half.
Across the Channel, the same group of operators — Voi, Lime, and Dott — secured a major contract in Paris earlier this summer to provide e-bike sharing services, reflecting the increasingly international scope of the micromobility market. For riders in the UK, safety remains a key focus. While helmets are not legally required, authorities strongly recommend their use.
Background:
Here is how this event developed over time:
- 2020: The UK government launched rental e-scooter trials to assess safety and environmental impacts as part of a potential path to legalization.
- July 15, 2025: Lime updated its user agreement as part of ongoing trial operations and regulatory requirements.
- July 16, 2025: Wandsworth Council announced a partnership with Lime, Voi, and Forest, offering a 50% discount on Lime bikes and expanding dedicated parking to 170 bays.
- July 21, 2025: The UK Department for Transport extended national e-scooter trials to May 2028, marking the fifth renewal since 2020 to gather more data before legislation.
- July 21, 2025: Government guidelines reaffirmed that only rental e-scooters with license verification and basic third-party insurance are legal, while private e-scooters remain banned on public roads.
- July 21, 2025: Voi and Lime continued expanding across London, with Voi reporting financial improvements and launching safety pilots involving AI technology.
- June 2025: Voi, Lime, and Dott won the Paris e-bike sharing tender, highlighting their broader European presence and operational experience.