The overwhelming majority of readers thought e-scooters should be legalised in a poll ahead of the Queen’s speech.

The Queen’s speech, delivered today, included several measures concerning the Transport Bill including the creation of a new public sector body to oversee Britain’s railways.

The new Transport Bill is aimed at enabling “innovation” and providing “new choices for the public”, which includes e-scooters, according to a Downing Street briefing document.

READ MORE: 'I was deeply shaken by an e-scooter rider on the pavement in Oxford'

E-scooters fall under the legal definition of a motor vehicle in the UK, but do not meet the requirements to be used legally on public roads.

The only legal way to use an e-scooter on public roads is through official trials, that have been carried out in over 30 areas of the UK including in Oxford.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the House of Commons Transport Committee on April 27 that the government planned to introduce measures to regulate e-scooters sold, in terms of speed amongst other factors, to work towards making it legal to buy and use private ones.

In an Oxford Mail poll, with over 500 responses, 71% of people felt that e-scooters should ‘definitely’ be legalised, 23% thought they should ‘definitely’ not be legalised, 5% said maybe and 1% said they were not sure.

READ MORE: POLL: Should E-Scooters be legalised in the Queen's Speech?

One reader commented: “It is about time they legalise them. They will cut pollution, cut congestion and make it easier and more practical for those with short comments and even encourage more use of trains for those with longer journeys.

“The people that ride them dangerously will buy and ride them regardless of the law. Keeping them illegal only restricts the sensible riders who abide by rules.

“We already have bikes whizzing around at much greater speeds just as silently so any argument they are dangerous to pedestrians is moot unless you also want to ban cycling.”

Another reader, who was upvoted 11 times, said: " There should be a minimum requirement of third party insurance before they are made legal.

Another reader who was upvoted four times said: “No they shouldn't. Most commentators on here hate bikes and cyclists and I see so much worse road sense from the mainly youths on a daily basis on these things.”

READ MORE: Transport boss indicates private e-scooters could be legalised for use on roads

Oxford Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford Tom Hayes said: “My residents write to tell me that they are concerned about e-scooters riding on pavements and I support a move for more regulation.”

Oxfordshire Cabinet Member for Travel & Development Strategy Duncan Enright said: "The main problem is regulating private e-scooters. The rental trials in Oxford city have been a huge success, and our data shows that people have used them as an alternative to cars for making short trips.

"I went on one myself on Woodstock Road and the instructions seemed quite clear, and the trails are well managed. I suppose it's that sort of care and attention we want to see in e-scooter regulation."

On the new measures, a government spokesperson said: “Safety will always be our top priority and our trials are helping us to better understand the benefits of properly regulated, safety-tested e-scooters and their impact on public space.

“While riding a privately owned e-scooter on public land is currently illegal, we are considering how best to design future regulations and our Transport Bill will help us to take the steps we need to make e-scooters safer and support innovation.”

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