Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) urges Government to consider additional opportunities when legalising private e-step scooters

MCIA has welcomed the Transport Secretary’s comments that Government is looking to legalise private use of e-step scooters as part of legislation to be announced in the Queen’s Speech.

Although MCIA recognises the value of e-step scooters for certain journeys, they aren’t appropriate in all settings.

MCIA will be pushing to ensure any new legislation does not negatively impact on the lower end of the L-Category sector, and will be robust enough to ensure their safe design and durability. It should also make necessary provisions for user training, licensing, road insurance and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

As part of the joint industry and Government Action Plan for the L-Category Sector, one of the 10 actions is for Government to review existing L-Category vehicle regulations in order to fully realise the potential of our sector. MCIA will be encouraging Government to conduct this review concurrently when creating the e-step scooter regulatory framework. 

Tony Campbell, MCIA CEO, said:

“We cannot afford for legislation to be configured in such a way that doesn’t ensure robust safety and training requirements for private e-step scooters. Equally, we cannot afford for existing vehicle categories, such as electric mopeds and small motorcycles, and the opportunities they already present, to be overlooked any further.

With the electric moped market growing exponentially each year, small changes to current regulation would allow easier market access and lower vehicle costs, creating a new sector that, for private use, would be just as safe and easier to regulate than privately owned e-step scooters.

E-step scooters and L-Category vehicles all have a role to play in a zero-emission future which is why the ‘Right Regulation for the Right Vehicle’ approach is critical to the success of Government’s urban mobility and decarbonisation ambitions.”