Britain should severely restrict "fire risk" e-scooters

(Reuters) – LONDON – Given the amount of injuries from illicit vehicles and the fire risks posed by their batteries, Britain should impose rigorous rules on electric scooters if their legal usage is expanded beyond current government trials, insurers said on Thursday.

According to the UK government, trials of shared rental e-scooters are going place in 31 locations of England this year.

However, privately owned e-scooters are already a common sight on city streets, despite the fact that their usage is forbidden outside of private property unless the owners grants permission.

According to official records, there were 882 accidents involving e-scooters in the fiscal year ending June 2021, resulting in 931 injuries, 732 of whom were e-scooter users.

"Illegal use of e-scooters now poses a considerable danger to riders, pedestrians, and other road users," said Chris Jones, director of legal and market services at the International Underwriting Association.

"It is critical that a suitable and effective regulatory framework be implemented as soon as possible."

In a letter to Transport Minister Grant Shapps, four insurance trade organizations demanded clear criteria on e-scooter design and safety equipment, including batteries, charging, brakes, and illumination, as well as if protective equipment is necessary.

The lithium batteries in e-scooters constituted a fire danger, and their movement and storage should be controlled, according to the trade associations.

They also suggested that the authorities look at how e-scooters are parked to ensure that they do not become a safety problem.