Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has indicated that the Government intends to legalize the use of private e-scooters on public roads.

The minister said the introduction of regulations for e-scooters was “clearly necessary”.

Private electric scooters cannot be legally used on roads or pavements in the UK, but they have become commonplace, particularly in urban areas.

Trials of rental electric scooters on England’s roads have been underway in cities since July 2020.

Asked by the House of Commons transport select committee if she would consider introducing legislation regulating the use of e-scooters, Ms Haigh replied: “We have no parliamentary time in this session or any plans relevant legislation that could be used to regulate electric scooters. , but we will seek to legislate, absolutely.

“It’s clearly necessary.

“It’s not enough to stay in this situation for too long.”

Ms Haigh added that e-scooters could be a “really effective part of an integrated transport strategy”, including making it easier for some people with accessibility needs to travel.

But she warned there were “undoubtedly issues around parking and litter on the streets”, and stressed the need to “analyze very carefully the journeys they replace and the behavioral impact of scooters electrical”.

Department for Transport figures show 11 motorcyclists and one pedestrian died in e-scooter accidents in Britain in 2022.

Another 1,480 injuries were recorded, including 1,138 horse riders, 232 pedestrians and 50 cyclists.