EALING is one of the 11 London boroughs that have expressed an interest in taking part in e-scooter rental schemes.

Around a third of all 32 boroughs have declared an interest, with a year-long trial due to start next spring.

TfL launched a competition to select up to three operators to take part in the scheme.

Privately owned e-scooters will remain illegal to use, with riders facing a £300 fine and six points on their driving licence if they're stopped by the police.

The e-scooters will only be allowed on roads and cycle lanes and each borough will be able to designate 'go slow areas', where scooters will have to stick to a maximum speed of 8mph.

They will also be able to designate 'no-go areas', where e-scooters will not be allowed and riders will have to disembark.

TfL believes e-scooters could help reduce car use in the Capital and encourage Londoners to use greener forms of transport.

TfL expects to have between 60 to 150 e-scooters per borough initially, with operators who perform well being allowed to increase the size of their fleet.

advertisement

Riders are not required by law to wear a helmet, similar to cyclists, but it is expected that discount incentives will be offered to encourage people to wear them.

Michael Hurwitz, TfL's director of transport innovation, told the Evening Standard: "Safety will be our number one priority during this e-scooter rental trial, which will be critical to providing us the data and insights we need to determine whether e-scooters are a viable part of a greener and healthier future for London."