1-1046 DfT TRSS10062 Investigation into the safe integration of e-scooters on UK public roads

The Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking to contract for provision of services to conduct research into the safety of integrating electric scooters ('e-scooters') on public roads in the UK. This document sets out the proposed scope and requirements for this research project. E-scooters fall under an emerging category of personal transport often referred to as 'micro-mobility'. Micro-mobility is a rapidly developing area and new technologies are becoming more common around the world; in addition to e-scooters, this includes Segways, hoverboards, u-wheels, go-eds and powered unicycles. The DfT has coined "powered transporters" as the collective term to describe these types of device - defined as "a variety of novel personal transport devices which are mechanically propelled (propelled by a motor) as well as or instead of being manually propelled".Within the category of e-scooters, both seated and standing variants exist. The current research project is focussed on understanding the safety of standing e-scooters only; all other forms of powered transporter are considered out of scope however these may form the focus of future research. In addition, the scope of this research includes only adult e-scooters, not child e-scooters. In March 2019 the DfT published its Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy which set out the government's plans to undertake a Regulatory Review of four key areas of mobility including Mobility-as-a-Service, data sharing, bus, taxi and private hire vehicle legislation, and micro-mobility. This project will form part of the evidence base being considered during that Regulatory Review.