Rental e-scooters are to be trialled on the streets of London from spring next year.

Around a third of London boroughs have expressed interest in the 12-month scheme, which will begin with 60 to 150 scooters being rolled out in each area.

Boroughs will control parking locations protect against street clutter and will be able to designate certain areas as 'no-go areas' - where e-scooters cannot be ridden and will automatically come to a safe stop, or 'go-slow areas’ - where the speed of the e-scooter will be automatically limited to 8mph.

Michael Hurwitz, TfL's Director of Transport Innovation, said: "We're determined to make sure that London recovers from coronavirus as safely and sustainably as possible and are supportive of innovative solutions that could help. 

"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.

“We'll continue to take the interests of all Londoners into account as we work towards starting the trial next year." 

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The use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads is not covered by these changes and remains illegal in the UK. 

The trials are part of a wider approach across TfL, London boroughs and national government to enable people to use greener forms of transport and help avoid a “damaging, car-led recovery” from coronavirus.

Transport for London has launched a competition in partnership with the capital’s boroughs to select up to three operators to run the 12-month scheme.

All boroughs will be able to be involved in the trial, which is likely to be the largest in the UK and will provide valuable data to understand the impact of these vehicles on the way people travel around the capital. 

Around one third of London's boroughs have expressed their intention to join the trial initially, with more considering joining at a later stage.