Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of applying regulations on the use of mopeds to e-scooters.

Under current legislation, e-scooters are classed as motorcycles, within the subclass of mopeds, as defined in Section 185 of the Road Traffic Act. This means the legal requirements that apply to mopeds also apply to e-scooters. However, they were not designed with e-scooters in mind and consequently it is very difficult for e-scooters to comply. The regulatory requirements for micromobility were considered as part of the Future of Transport Regulatory Review. It was concluded that a new 'Low-Speed Zero Emission' vehicle category would be created, separate to the cycle and motor vehicle categories, when parliamentary time allows. E-scooters are expected to be the first example of the new category. The Department will consult before any new arrangements come into force, and all interested parties will have a chance to shape the new regime.