A new e-scooter trial begins today in Liverpool, giving commuters, tourists and residents a new way to travel around the city centre.
The trial is a joint initiative from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the city council, and will see Swedish-based e-scooter firm Voi introduce 50 carbon-neutral vehicles to the streets.
The distinctive coral-coloured e-scooters will be for public hire, with the trial lasting a year.
50 jobs will be created from the trial.
The vehicles will travel at a maximum speed of 10 miles an hour, but their speed will be electronically restricted to around five miles an hour in areas with high footfall.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor, said: “I want our area’s transport network to be as cheap, quick and green as possible. E- scooters could offer residents and tourists alike a quick and convenient way to get around the city centre, as happens in many European cities.
“We will be working closely with the Council and Police to monitor the scheme and make sure that the scooters are being used safely and properly.
”If the trial goes well, then we can look forward to seeing these scooters play a role in my plans for a London-style transport system.”
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They will be available to hire from October 6 using an app - and will be placed at key sites around the city centre - including the shopping and commercial districts as well as near to the University of Liverpool and LJMU campuses.
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The trial area will cover Liverpool city centre, extending from the city’s historic waterfront to its Knowledge Quarter, Georgian Quarter and the Vauxhall area to the north of the city centre.
Supported by Department for Transport, the Liverpool e-scooter trial is one of more than a dozen taking place across the 海角视频, including in the West Midlands and Northamptonshire. It is hoped that the vehicles can be used to support public transport and provide a new low-carbon mode of transport, particularly vital at a time when vigilance around social distancing is required.
The scheme has also been designed in close consultation with disability associations including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Initially the vehicles will only be available to users between 6am and 10pm, in line with national Covid-19 restrictions around the opening of restaurants and bars. Only e-scooters which are part of the trial are currently allowed in Liverpool, with the use of private e-scooters remaining illegal in the 海角视频, the combined authority said.
Voi – Europe’s fastest-growing e-scooter company, operating in 45 cities across 11 countries – has an exclusive contract to provide scooters for the trial.