Private e-scooters main cause of related incidents in Bucks
Those which can be hired are not the issue, says police chief
Hireable e-scooters are not the cause of issues in Buckinghamshire - it's privately-owned ones.
Aylesbury Vale's police Superintendent told us they've seen a rise in calls about anti-social behaviour and accidents involving e-scooters.
Mike Loebenberg told us they count as a motor vehicle:
"Which means that they have got to be subject to the same legal requirements as motor vehicles.
"As e-scooters can't currently meet these requirements, riding a privately-owned e-scooter on a public road or pavement or other public area is a road traffic offence."
There has been a rise in incidents connected with the vehicles in recent months, according to Supt. Loebenberg.
He added:
"Sometimes that is anti-social, sometimes people aren't wearing helmets or there is multiple people on them.
"Of course that has, on occasion, led to accidents, to collisions, where individuals are at risk of being hurt."
He has asked that we continue to follow the laws surrounding their use.
His comments come as Bucks Council's trial of e-scooters you can hire and use on the road has been branded a success.
In November 2020, Buckinghamshire Council introduced year-long pilot e-scooter schemes in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.
Working in partnership with ZippMobility, 25 e-scooters were set up in each town and made available for people to hire for short journeys in the local area.
Four months on, the number of e-scooters in operation is 240 as demand has grown and both schemes have taken off. Insight gathered over the past few months shows:
- Average journeys last around 15 to 20 minutes
- Distances travelled range between one and two and a half miles
- The most popular times for use are between 2pm and 10pm.
- More than 14,000 journeys have been made in Aylesbury and just over 10,000 in High Wycombe.
The pilot schemes were set up as a result of an initiative launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) to support green local travel by trialling the use of e-scooters across the country.
The trial period was fast-tracked as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to provide an alternative means of transport for the public.
Buckinghamshire Council worked with a range of partners including Transport for Bucks, Thames Valley Police, town centre management teams, disability groups and parish and town councils to decide on suitable locations for the virtual parking bays where riders must start and finish their journeys.
One of the main aims of the e-scooter trials is to evaluate safety.
No major incidents have been reported for either of the schemes in Buckinghamshire to date.
Work is ongoing to combat misuse of the e-scooters including incidents of riding on pavements which is not allowed.
The rule of use are printed onto each scooter and regular communications are sent to users via the app.
Printed registration number stickers are also fitted to the scooters so members of the public can report any misuse. As a result of misuse a total of three users have been banned in Aylesbury and four in High Wycombe.
Members of the public are able to give feedback on the scheme via anonymised comments. Any reports of misuse will be followed up by Zipp.
The mix of general comments is both positive and negative. While there have been more negative comments received, the majority claim the scheme is a waste of money and complain about the cost of hiring.
Some also dislike the obstruction to the pavement where parking bays are located. The positive comments focus on the scheme offering a great alternative way to get around and the way Zipp has dealt quickly and effectively with issues and complaints.
Ian Thompson, Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability said:
"We are pleased to see our trial e-scooter schemes have taken off so well in both Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Our studies show that despite a few minor incidents and negative comments which are to be expected, the schemes have been warmly received in both areas. Residents are discovering that e-scooters offer a new, easy and alternative way to get around town, whether popping to the shops, getting to and from work or for making your way home after an evening out.
"There is still some way to go before we will know if e-scooters are to become a permanent fixture in our towns and cities but it is fantastic to be part of this national pilot exploring alternative and more green modes of transport. In the longer term this feeds into our ambition to improve air quality in Buckinghamshire and reduce carbon emissions."
Throughout the pilot the council has been working with town and parish councils and other organisations to deal with any incidents or concerns and amending the scheme as needed.
Discussions are also underway with several town and parish councils looking at extending both schemes into areas beyond the immediate town centres.