Ministers have pledged to introduce legislation for electric scooters following mounting safety concerns, with official statistics revealing six fatalities and 416 serious injuries in England during 2023 alone.
The commitment appeared in the Government's Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which promises "legislative reform for micromobility vehicles" when parliamentary schedules permit.
Among those seriously hurt were 343 e-scooter riders and 52 pedestrians, according to Department for Transport data.
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The regulatory framework aims to establish a "proportionate and more agile process" for controlling low-speed zero emission vehicles, encompassing e-scooters alongside pavement delivery robots and last-mile transport solutions.
Labour indicated that it would look to introduce new e-scooter rules
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Britain currently prohibits privately-owned e-scooters from public spaces, though illegal usage remains widespread in urban centres.
Rental schemes have operated under trial conditions across English towns and cities since mid-2020.
The proposed regulations may introduce mandatory testing for riders and compulsory insurance coverage, while manufacturers could face requirements to restrict vehicle speeds, according to Government sources.
A Government insider stated: "Successive Conservative governments dragged their feet while a black market of e-scooters has been allowed to take over our streets.
Experts have called for more to be done to crack down on dangerous e-scooter riding
| TFL"E-scooters can be a great way to get around, but they must be properly regulated, safe for pedestrians as well as riders, and we must ensure they cannot clutter up our streets.
"This Government will act where the Tories failed to do so, legislating to crack down on illegal use to make our streets safe and accessible for everyone."
The reforms aim to establish safety standards while promoting these environmentally-friendly transport options.
Shared transport charity CoMoUK praised the announcement as "excellent news" that would resolve prolonged uncertainty surrounding e-scooter legality.
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Chief executive Richard Dilks said: "It's excellent news that the Government has formally confirmed that it intends to legalise e-scooters alongside other innovative vehicles."
"However, ministers need to seize the moment and push ahead with this important work as quickly as possible."
Dilks highlighted the environmental benefits, saying they would keep people away from cars as part of an "integrated, sustainable transport offer."
Vision charities have raised concerns about pavement riding potentially endangering blind and partially sighted pedestrians.
E-scooters can only be used on public roads in trial areas | PABritain stands apart from other developed countries in prohibiting private e-scooters from public spaces, despite their widespread illegal use.
Research commissioned by the Department for Transport in December 2022 revealed that most residents in trial zones had observed riders of both rental and private e-scooters engaging in antisocial activities, including racing and performing hazardous manoeuvres.
The Government's manufacturing plan emphasises promoting greater adoption of these vehicles, stating that establishing clear market pathways would stimulate investment and usage while removing existing regulatory obstacles to boost economic growth.
CoMoUK's data indicates that 3.7 million users have completed 60.5 million journeys through the rental trials, demonstrating substantial demand for this affordable, adaptable and environmentally sustainable transport alternative.