A Swedish-based company has won a major contract to trial its e-scooters in Bristol and Bath for 12 months.
Voi Technology beat off a “large number†of other bids to secure the deal, which will see its hop-on-hop-off scooters made available to hire in the two cities.
Its scooters will also be trialled at other locations in South Gloucestershire such as stations, university campuses, hospitals and large employment sites.
The 12-month e-scooter trial is being led by the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils.
According to Weca, the start date for the trial launch is dependent on discussions with Voi and authorisation from the Department of Transport, but the combined authority said it expected it to begin later this month.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “I’m really pleased to announce Voi Technology will be getting our region moving as the operator for our e-scooter trials.
“This is an exciting prospect, bringing a new, low-carbon way to travel around the region, and making it accessible for every community.â€
"This is a real benefit for our region while social distancing is in place on public transport, but also it’s a great opportunity to understand how they might help support my longer-term sustainable transport ambitions including our transformational MetroWest rail system and regional Mass Transit."
Voi will also run a rental scheme, which will allow residents to take e-scooters home and use them for journeys on a longer-term basis.
Weca said it was working closely with councils and Avon and Somerset Police to make sure the e-scooters were “used responsibly" as part of the trial.
Fredrik Hjelm, co-founder and chief executive of Voi Technology, said: “Voi will soon be coming to Bristol and Bath, two marvellous British cities of great economic and cultural importance, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
“The pandemic has created a major transportation problem that Voi is helping to solve as we need a climate- and Covid-friendly alternative to a car-led ‘recovery’.â€
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Rental e-scooters on the trial will be capped to a maximum speed of 15.5mph.
Geo-fencing technology will also allow slower speed restrictions to be imposed in defined areas, which will be identified by Voi, the police and stakeholder groups such as equalities groups.
According to Weca, Voi also has the ability to restrict or bar non-compliant users.
The combined authority said it was engaging with groups representing vulnerable road users, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People and Age º£½ÇÊÓƵ – and would do so throughout the trials.
What are the rules for riding electric scooters?
Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on roads, pavements, parks and any other areas. The only place that privately owned e-scooters can legally be used is on private land with the permission of the landowner.
Only e-scooters that are hired or leased through the West of England’s trial can be used legally on roads, cycle lanes or cycle tracks. E-scooters that are part of the trial can be used wherever cycles are permitted.
E-scooters cannot be used on pavements.
E-scooters are classed as motorised vehicles and riders of authorised trial e-scooters must hold a full or provisional driving licence.
Councillor Joanna Wright, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “E-scooters have the potential to play a key role in our vision to create a connected city, fit for the future through the provision of sustainable transport options which promote active travel and reduce carbon emissions.â€
Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: “Scooters are a great way to travel while reducing emissions, air pollution and congestion, and we will work closely with the operator and share experiences with other cities to make sure they are used responsibly and safely by those taking up the trial.â€
South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Cllr Steve Reade added: “It is important that we explore new forms of sustainable transport so that we can continue to improve both our environment and people’s health.â€
