Road safety campaigners, transport groups and e-scooter operators have criticised the government after the King’s Speech made no mention of e-scooters or wider micromobility legislation.

The failure comes despite previous commitments to bring forward reforms “when parliamentary time allows”.

Casualty numbers continue to rise as the popularity of these motorised vehicles grows.

Ignoring the obvious

The omission of proposed legislation and regulation has sparked renewed concern that the UK is falling behind other European countries in regulating electric scooters and other low-emission transport technologies, while allowing confusion about illegal use and enforcement to persist.

Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), the national shared transport charity, described the absence of legislation as a “significant blow” that would prolong uncertainty and discourage investment in the sector.

The criticism follows an open letter sent to the Prime Minister, calling for the creation of a new category of powered light vehicles that would allow e-scooters and similar e-mobility devices to be legally used on public roads under a regulated framework.

The letter was signed by operators including Lime, Voi and Bolt, as well as transport organisations, environmental groups and councillors.

Signatories warned that continued delays were having a “significant adverse impact on investment”.

 

‘Deeply frustrating’

Richard Dilks, chief executive of Collaborative Mobility UK, said the government’s failure to act contradicted its wider transport ambitions.

“It is deeply frustrating that the Government has failed to use the King’s Speech to move to legalise e-scooters finally,” he said.

“The UK remains the only country in Europe that has not yet legalised them, and these continuing delays directly contradict the government’s own goals for integrated transport.

“By failing to legislate, the government is condemning operators and local authorities to endless trials, leaving them stuck in limbo and holding back economic growth.”

Dilks added that the lack of legislation was preventing the introduction of clearer technical standards and safety requirements.

“As well as denying people access to flexible, affordable, low-carbon transport, this inaction means much-needed new technical specifications and safety standards cannot be implemented,” he said.

“Furthermore, we are left without a mechanism to resolve the problems caused by entirely unregulated, privately-owned e-scooters being ridden illegally.”

Legal uncertainty

Private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes in the UK unless they are part of one of the government’s authorised rental trial schemes.

Despite this, privately owned e-scooters are widely used in towns and cities across the country, creating ongoing enforcement challenges for police and local authorities.

Department for Transport estimates recorded 1,357 casualties involving e-scooters in the year ending June 2025, including six fatalities and 459 serious injuries.

Under the current law, e-scooters used on public roads are treated similarly to motor vehicles. Riders can face penalties for using uninsured vehicles, including fines of up to £300 and six penalty points.

Police also have powers under the Road Traffic Act to seize illegally used e-scooters, particularly where they are linked to offences or antisocial behaviour.

Campaigners argue that the current situation has created a contradiction: rental trial scooters operate legally under regulation, while thousands of private e-scooters continue to be used unlawfully without clear oversight.

Safety and infrastructure

Road safety organisations have repeatedly warned about issues involving pavement riding, excessive speeds and poorly regulated high-powered e-bikes and scooters.

Critics say clearer legislation could establish standards covering speed limits, rider behaviour, insurance, vehicle specifications and battery safety.

Supporters of reform argue that regulated e-scooters could play a significant role in reducing congestion and emissions, particularly in urban areas where short car journeys remain common.

However, campaigners say uncertainty is discouraging operators from making long-term investments in infrastructure and fleet expansion.

 

Rolling issue

The omission from the King’s Speech has intensified criticism that the government is delaying decisions on a rapidly growing transport sector.

Transport groups say the continued reliance on temporary trial schemes is unsustainable and leaves local authorities, operators and riders without long-term clarity.

“The public, local authorities and operators desperately need clarity and direction,” Dilks said. “We urge the Government to rethink its timeline and bring forward this vital legislation.”

E-scooter use continues to rise despite legal restrictions, and pressure is expected to grow on ministers to introduce a formal regulatory framework that balances safety, enforcement and the development of low-carbon transport alternatives.