London's E-scooter Sustainability Scheme

Transport For London recently introduced the new e-scooter rental scheme, which is being rolled out across London in a bid to achieve a green, sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.  

According to TfL, the scheme is being trialled on a 12-month basis and was initially introduced to the City of London, Canary Wharf, and boroughs such as Hammersmith, Richmond upon Thames, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith. 

While many European countries are taking a more widespread approach, the UK has adopted e-scooters rather reluctantly in comparison. It’s important to note that e-scooters are currently barred from pavements in the U.K., and it is against the law to own one privately.  

That said, the e-scooter scheme could help London workers and residents live a greener, more sustainable lifestyle. 

A more sustainable way of working 

An alternative to cars, e-scooters offer a more environmentally friendly way of getting around London, and as a forward-thinking agent with a green approach, we think these e-scooters could be a great new way of getting to and from property viewings.  

At Jeremy Jacob, we try not to use cars to attend viewings where possible. And, with less cars on the road, we’re doing our bit to help reduce carbon emissions. 

So, could electric scooters be the new eco-friendly way for estate and lettings agents to attend viewings? Driving typically makes up a large part of an agent’s day-to-day activity. Agents often spend time each day outside of the office, travelling to and from property viewings and attending valuation appointments. For agents in one of the scheme’s eligible areas, electric scooters could be a more environmentally friendly alternative to driving a car during their working day  

If the thought of using an electric scooter doesn’t quite appeal to you, or if you are outside one of the areas covered by the scheme, another eco-friendly transport alternative is cycling. And, not only do bicycles help to combat climate change, they are also great for our health.  

And, in addition to being an eco-friendly car alternative, e-scooters and bicycles also offer a speedier way to arrive at viewings for properties that are in walking distance of the office. 

The new transportation norm? 

The popularity of electric scooters has grown in recent months, and not only do they help to reduce pollution, they provide an on-demand, accessible and convenient method of transportation.  

The use of e-scooters in the UK is still relatively new, and despite controversy surrounding just how ecological they are in comparison to other transport methods, they are certainly becoming more and more widespread.  

As e-scooters become more popular, tenants living in London will be starting to think about where they might store their new mode of transport. Used by environmentally conscious city workers, electric scooters will need to be safely stored when not in use. This is one of the many factors prospective London tenants might wish to consider when searching for their next rental home. 

Whether a tenant uses an e-scooter or a bicycle, they will be looking for somewhere to store them at their rented property. Safe storage of a scooter will help it to continue to function properly during future use, which is especially important during the winter season. Ideally, tenants will want the space to bring their e-scooter indoors into a dry room with power access to charge the battery.  

But extra space can be hard to come by in London apartments, and some tenants may need to store their bicycles or e-scooters outside. With external locking mechanisms, secure wall storage options and waterproof covers, tenants have the option of secure outdoor storage.  

So, could electric scooters be here to stay?  

Scooters and bicycles certainly offer a convenient way to get around the city, keep fit and avoid traffic. While the UK government is already taking part in trials for e-scooter hire, word is there is a view to legalising the use of them on the roads too. As other European countries have already fully embraced the use of electric scooters, could we soon see them being rolled out nationwide and fully legalised?