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E-bikes and e-scooters

When you can use an electric bike or scooter.

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Privately owned vehicles

E-bikes can be used as long as it meets Electric Assisted Pedal Assist (EAPC) rules set by the DLVA.

E-bikes that do not meet their requirements are classified as a motorised vehicle and must be taxed and insured in order to be used on the public highway. Find more information at GOV.UK.

Private e-scooters are illegal to be used on the public highway and users can be liable to enforcement action undertaken by the police.

Rental e-scooter trial

Our current trial of rental e-scooters is being operated by Dott, Lime and Voi. These operators were selected following a competitive procurement process completed by Transport for London (TfL). TfL are administrating the trial until May 2024 and the scheme and specific vehicles have been approved by the Department for Transport (DfT). Further announcements are expected to be made by the DfT about the trial in due course.

From September 2023, existing e-scooter parking bays will be converted for dual-use to allow dockless e-bikes to be parked. The permitted operators for the bikes are Forest (formerly Human Forest), Lime and TIER. More information about changes to rental e-scooter and e-bike parking bays.

E-scooters are available to hire in:

  • Camden
  • City of London
  • Ealing
  • Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Kensington and Chelsea
  • Lambeth (north of the borough only)
  • Richmond upon Thames
  • Southwark
  • Tower Hamlets (limited parking at Canary Wharf and some TfL stations)
  • Westminster

Our participation in the trial means that Londoners will be able to hire and ride electric scooters from parking bays using apps from the approved providers:

Rental will be priced at between £3.25 and £3.40 for a 15-minute ride and e-scooters are only allowed to be ridden on roads, not pavements.

All other e-scooters, such as private e-scooters, will continue to be illegal to ride on Westminster's roads. The riding of e-scooters, electric bikes or any other bike on the pavement continues to be an offence and is not allowed.

We have worked closely with TfL, London councils, and the e-scooter providers to ensure extensive safety measures are in place so that residents and visitors can stay safe on our roads while the trial is in place.

You can give your feedback to TfL about the e-scooter trial through their Have Your Say platform or by calling their contact centre on 0343 222 1234.

For any other Westminster-specific enquiries on the trial, please contact askhighways@westminster.gov.uk 

To ensure equality and inclusivity is considered across all affected groups who work, visit and live in the borough. A comprehensive equality impact assessment (EqIA) has been completed and will be under review over the course of the trial.

Map of rental e-scooter parking locations in Westminster 

Equality impact assessment DOCX, 128.73 KB

Abandoned e-bikes and e-scooters

Any abandoned e-bikes or e-scooters should be directed to the responsible operator for action.

Dott

Forest

Lime

Voi

Published: 23 January 2021

Last updated: 8 December 2023