Ride isn’t as e-asy as it looks – but can be fun
ON a beautiful spring day, I was stuck in traffic heading to Rochdale town centre.
Why? To ride e-scooters around a car park, of course.
The e-scooters will hopefully reduce the need for cars, helping out with this kind of traffic.
The electric scooters will be arriving in Rochdale later this month courtesy of Lime, the company chosen by Rochdale Borough Council, and my colleague Nick Statham and I have both extensively covered their imminent arrival.
The e-scooters will be here for a 12-month trial period after proving to be a hit in 125 other countries across the globe.
Nick and I both arrived at the Dunelm car park - of all places -where a row of the scooters, gleaming green, awaited us.
Despite being, at that moment at least, inanimate, they were larger than I expected and looked mildly threatening.
It didn’t help that I’m 5”1’ and the scooters came past my mid-chest level.
Nick and I were met by Hal Stevenson, Lime’s UK public affairs Manager who showed us both how to use the scooters.
They’re fairly simple - the accelerator is on the right handlebar along with a break and a bell.
I let Nick have the first go and he managed to bring the e-scooter in a neat circle without falling off like a pro.
After how easy he’d made it look, I figured it would be simple. I was wrong, however. On the first go, I thought that the scooter didn’t accelerate - which it turns out it does, and quite rapidly if you apply enough pressure.
As a result, I nearly fell off, shouted, and put my foot down on the ground to brake like you would do on a regular scooter instead of using the actual brake.
The e-scooters are quite heavy and can reach speeds of up to 12mph, meaning they are actually intended for use on the road.
Initially, Lime will launch 100 scooters. But if demand increases, the scheme could expand to up to 500.
At first, the trial will cover the town centre before moving into areas such as Castleton and Milnrow - and potentially Heywood and Littleborough.
Nick and I had previously discussed our worry of falling off the scooters, with Nick being more concerned than I was.
His worries proved to be unfounded.
After a photo session where Nick and I posed clutching our respective scooters, it was time for me to try again because the footage I’d shot first was unsuitable.
I seemed to get the hang of it this time, despite briefly crashing into a cone - and yeah, it was actually quite exhilarating the second time around.
It felt similar to the way my teenage self had felt when I used to skateboard.
So, what’s my verdict on e-scooters?
They’re quite fun and I have my hopes that they will also reduce the need for cars in the town, as they have been relatively successful in both Milton Keynes and Salford.
But I do worry about the lack of helmets which I’d definitely advise wearing if you’re going to be on the road.
Lime’s plans also include adding a ‘community hub’ to the town and providing unlimited rides for key workers.
To use the e-scooters, riders will need to use an app on their phone to unlock them, and you will also need a provisional or full driving license.
They cost £1 to unlock and 15p per minute to ride.
Self-declared lowerincome users will be able to receive a 50 per cent discount, while key workers will ride for free under the firm’s Lime Aid policy.
Residents will also be able to travel to and from their Covid-19 vaccine appointments free of charge via Lime’s Ride to Recover scheme, aimed at ensuring vaccination centres are accessible for all. Hundreds of scooters available for hire are set to appear on the streets of Rochdale within days. Rochdale Observer reporter FLORA BYATT met with operators Lime in Rochdale Town Centre to give them a test drive.