I’m a convert to e-scooters - councillor
Riding an e-scooter can be quicker and cheaper than driving into Bath, according to one convert.
Mark Elliott, the director of music at Christ Church, lives in Larkhall and used to make lots of solo trips into the city, a journey that would take 40 minutes on foot.
Now one of 400 people in the West of England paying £35 a month for a long-term lease on a Voi e-scooter, he can get into Bath in eight minutes without having to worry about parking.
The Liberal Democrat councillor for Lansdown is keen to show they are a viable part of the transport mix, but accepted they are not for everyone or every purpose, such as big weekly grocery shops.
“It just seemed like a very convenient way of moving to a lower polluting form of transport. It’s much more point-to-point than a car,” said the dad-of-two, who signed up in January shortly after the scheme launched.
“In most instances journeys into Bath are quicker than in a car. You haven’t got to look for a parking space in the same way.
“It won’t work for everybody but I think it’s a great addition to the mix of available options.
“I’m pleased to be able to demonstrate they’re a viable option and they work. I’d get one even if I wasn’t a councillor.”
Until new legislation comes in, hiring an e-scooter from Voi is the only way to ride one legally in the West of England. According to the firm, users across the region have replaced an estimated 900,000 short car journeys since the trial launched last October.
Mr Elliott said his e-scooter is a better substitute for his car than his e-bike and he feels more confident riding it, but accepted he lost out on the health benefits of cycling.
“The scooter has replaced a lot of car journeys, probably at least six or seven a week.
“I haven’t done the calculation but I strongly suspect it’s cheaper than the fuel to drive, it’s less polluting and I often had to pay for parking.
“There are a lot of journeys where it’s inconvenient to walk. You have to offer alternatives.
“Paying £35 a month is extremely cost effective if you’re going in and out of town a lot.
“It’s very affordable but it won’t be for everybody.
“I see myself as an advocate for e-scooters.”
The hop-on-hop-off e-scooters use “geofencing” to control their speed and where they are used, although the area of Bath they cover is set to expand to the West of England Combined Authority can collect more data on how they are used.
The monthly hires are less restrictive and can be used almost anywhere in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
The Voi trial has been extended and is now set to run until March.