ELECTRIC scooters could be allowed on Glasgow’s streets as part of radical measures to implement physical distancing in the city centre.
It is among one of the proposals to provide more space for walkers and cyclists in the ‘Space for Distancing’ plan in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The plans are part of a £3.5million grant from the Scottish Government to encourage other forms of transport because space on buses and trains have been severely disrupted by social distancing.
On Thursday, councillors will consider whether to approach the UK and Scottish Governments to allow for an electric scooter trial in the city centre.
The Glasgow City Council document reads: “For the city centre, a street-by- street approach will be undertaken with temporary measures introduced to allow priority to be given to pedestrian space around our transport hubs, core shopping streets and any identified pedestrian pinch points.
“Measures for consideration as part of this workstream include to discuss with Transport Scotland or Department for Transport, the possibility of a dispensation to trial e-scooters in the city centre.”
Currently, e-scooters are banned except from on private land in Scotland – but are growing in popularity in other countries globally.
But have equally faced controversy with rows emerging over safety concerns for both riders and pedestrians.
Speaking to the Scotsman, a Transport Scotland spokesman said: “As the popularity and prevalence of e-scooters and other forms of micro-mobility increases globally, we are keen to understand trends across a range of issues, including the safety of both the user of the scooter and other road users.
“We welcome the launch of the UK Government’s public consultation on how to regulate e-scooters and we will continue to monitor the outcomes to help inform future policy.”
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