Demand for rental e-scooters in London has surged by more than half over the past year, according to new figures from Transport for London, as the capital’s trial continues to expand in scale and performance.
Data covering September 2024 to September 2025 show a 54% rise in total trips compared with the previous year, climbing from 1.3 million to more than 2 million journeys. Average utilisation has also grown by 50%, from 1.0 to 1.5 trips per vehicle per day, reaching 2 trips per vehicle during the summer months.
The trial, operated by Lime and Voi, now spans more than 1,600 parking bays across 11 participating boroughs, covering 300 km² – making it the largest e-scooter trial in the UK.
TfL said the latest figures demonstrate not only rapid growth in demand but also strong safety and compliance performance. 95% of trips ended in designated parking bays, a measure intended to reduce street clutter and improve accessibility. One in five bays is located in areas with lower levels of public transport access, supporting first- and last-mile connectivity.
Serious injuries remain rare, with 0.0007% of trips resulting in serious injury and no fatalities recorded during the reporting period.
City Hall said the results support the ambitions of the Greater London Authority and the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which aims for 80% of journeys in London to be made by walking, cycling or public transport by 2041. The scheme also aligns with the Mayor’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the capital’s roads by the same date.
All rental e-scooters in London are required to meet standards that go beyond national requirements, including a maximum speed of 12.5mph. Since the trial began four years ago, operators have delivered more than 200 safety awareness events. In addition, 3,000 people have signed up to discounted access schemes aimed at disabled riders and those on lower incomes.
TfL has now launched a competitive tender to select operators for the next phase of the trial. Officials say continuing the programme will provide further opportunities to refine safety standards and inform future legislation.
The publication of the data comes amid wider debate over how shared micromobility should be regulated. TfL and the Mayor have welcomed the proposed English Devolution Bill, which, if passed, would give cities powers to license and regulate shared micromobility services, potentially including rental e-scooters should they be legalised nationally.
Will Norman, London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner, recently said: ‘The data clearly shows that the rental e-scooter trial has helped to boost sustainable travel in our city – but crucially it also shows strong rider safety and parking compliance, which we know can pose challenges and are working hard to address. I look forward to driving further progress in the next phase of this exciting trial as we continue building a greener, safer, better London for everyone.’
Helen Sharp, TfL’s E-scooter Trial Lead, recently said: ‘London’s e-scooter trial is proving how micromobility can be regulated in a way that works for all and with the latest data showing a 54 per cent increase in trips, it’s encouraging to see even more people enjoying the benefits of the scheme. The next phase of the trial, delivered in partnership with London Councils, participating boroughs and operators, will continue to build on this success and play a crucial role in informing future legislation and policy on this innovative mode of transport.’
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