“Is that thing road legal?” scoffs the driver of a white van as I cautiously navigate a loop around Hammersmith roundabout. His front-seat passenger bursts into laughter at the sight.
I assure him that it is, though I can’t blame him for asking. The Yo-Go a bright yellow electric buggy with two seats, a single gear, and no side panels
looks somewhat out of place amid the chaos of one of London’s busiest junctions. Wedged between buses, delivery vans, and towering construction lorries, it feels almost comically small.
After my third or fourth lap courtesy of the Guardian’s photographer I learn that this is Britain’s most dangerous roundabout. As if on cue, a sideways rain begins to pelt down.
I suddenly realize I haven’t checked which of the chunky switches operates the windscreen wiper. My hands are frozen, my hair is whipping into my face, and I can’t help but think longingly of my Ford Focus.
It’s an exhilarating, if slightly nerve-wracking, experience. But in west London, members of Hammersmith and Fulham council believe this quirky little vehicle could be the future of short-range urban transport.
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They are enthusiastically supporting the rollout of these buggies across the borough, hoping to lure residents who haven’t yet switched to rental bikes. On a dry day, at least, they might find these golf cart-like vehicles an intriguing alternative to navigating the city’s traffic.
Could this concept take off? The rapid rise of urban bike and e-bike rentals suggests it might. At least 40 such schemes are currently in operation across the UK, from Aberdeen to Plymouth.
However, with London’s extensive public transport system and the abundance of bike rentals, e-bikes, and car-sharing services, is there really a need for yet another transport scheme? And does it have to look so… goofy?
Championing the idea is Sam Bailey, an engineer and inventor who prides himself on anticipating future problems and creating innovative solutions.
Having previously developed products to detect plumbing leaks and warn elderly people of hob fires, he turned his attention to urban congestion and emissions.
“In London, 70% of car journeys are shorter than three miles—school runs, trips to the shops, people just popping out,” says Bailey. “
So the idea was, could we replace that with something cheaper and more efficient to produce? And we realized we didn’t necessarily need an entirely new vehicle.”
Though modified with seatbelts and parking brakes to comply with UK road laws, the Yo-Go is essentially the same buggy one might see in an airport or holiday resort. It’s designed to be “a vehicle that just makes the road feel more pleasant,” Bailey explains.
The scheme launched in leafy Fulham Bailey’s home turf partly because of his strong relationship with the Labour-led, environmentally conscious council, which was instrumental in getting the project off the ground.
Since September, ten buggies have been available for public hire in Hammersmith and Fulham, with plans to expand the fleet to 50 by year’s end.
Users can book and pay through an app at a rate of 20p per minute, though for insurance reasons, drivers must be between 25 and 70 years old.
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A significant advantage is that the borough allows the buggies to park head-on in any resident’s bay for free.
“We’re interested in the art of the possible,” says Stephen Cowan, the council leader. “What does the future look like? What will transport look like?”
The council is even exploring alternative uses for the Yo-Go, such as shuttle services for elderly or unwell residents who might not need a full-sized car but find walking or cycling impractical. “So we like this. We think it’s a good project with lots of potential.”
However, expanding the scheme beyond Hammersmith and Fulham poses challenges. The borough’s widespread 20mph zones align well with the Yo-Go’s top speed, reducing the likelihood of frustrated drivers getting stuck behind one.
But in areas with faster roads, it could be a different story. (Hammersmith Yo-Go drivers are already “strongly recommended” to avoid the A4 flyover.) Because of these constraints, the company is considering cities like Oxford and Bath for its next phase rather than an immediate London-wide rollout.
There are also practical limitations. With more than one child or a heavy shopping load (the buggy has a small, non-locking boot), or in very wet conditions, the Yo-Go might not be the most viable option.
Still, they offer a more entertaining ride than sitting in an Uber. “What do you think of these things?” I shout to a Lime e-bike rider as we cruise toward Parsons Green side by side.
“They’re so cool!” he yells back with a grin.Then, as traffic builds ahead, I slow down—only to watch him effortlessly zip past on the inside lane.