Electric scooters banned from all UK canal towpaths

Electric scooters have been banned from canal towpaths as record numbers post-pandemic leave waterways busier than during the Industrial Revolution.

The Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) has published a new code of conduct in response to the growing popularity of towpaths, which saw almost 900 million visitors last year, a record.

Among the new guidelines is a ban on the use of electric scooters and a call for cyclists to drive slowly and yield to pedestrians.

Although electric scooters are technically It is not legal on roads or pavements in the UK.their use has become widespread and in 2020 the CRT said it would consider whether they could be safely allowed on towpaths.

However, it has now ruled out electric scooters, along with electric bikes that have been modified to go faster than the regulations.

In 2020, a 28-year-old yoga instructor was treated in hospital after he was thrown into Regents Canal in London by an electric scooter driver.

‘Serious problems’

The woman, who was riding a bicycle at the time, reportedly had to struggle for five minutes to get out of the water before being rescued by a passerby.

The new towpath code also stresses that visitors to the canal should pay particular attention to those using the waterway itself, whether for boating, fishing or other sports.

A CRT spokesperson said: “It is currently not legal to ride electric scooters in any public place, and towpaths are no exception.

“These are tight spaces, and now that they are more popular than ever, it is even more important that people stay safe. and consider others.

“Electric scooters are fast, quiet, ride very differently from bicycles, and could cause serious problems.

“Towpaths are a place where people can slow down and relax, enjoying the peace of being by the water, and electric scooters are not suitable in this environment.”

conflict opportunity

Last year a record 885 million visits were made to the 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales that CRT maintains.

The popularity of towpaths has increased significantly since the start of the pandemic, with visits increasing by more than 30 percent in the last four years.

Richard Parry, chief executive of the CRT, said the growing popularity of the UK’s 250-year-old channels meant more opportunities for conflict.

“But with so many people sharing them, and with waterways bringing nature and biodiversity to our towns and cities, it’s important that we be kind to each other and to wildlife,” he said.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in visitation to our waterways during the pandemic and they continue to be important places for many people who discovered them during that difficult time.”