Scooter hire scheme not getting easy ride

WHEN Newcastle council transport chiefs advised of plans for an experimental e-scooter hire scheme I had concerns.

A pilot scheme on Teesside saw reckless use in shopping centres and on dual carriageways, forcing its swift suspension.

However, I accepted they are easy and enjoyable to use and that alternatives to the car for short trips should be explored.

Some months before roll-out, I asked the council how responsible use will be enforced and how conflict with pedestrians will be avoided.

I also asked for robust evaluation of how many car journeys would be reduced by the scheme.

The council shrugged and said it was up to the operator to monitor and manage their use.

Councillors were briefed the trial would be limited to the city centre in its initial phase before being extended but that seems to have been quickly ditched.

The e-scooters are novel and fun and I get why young people are flocking to them.

However, I am dubious they are being used as responsibly as the operator’s PR assured us they would and it is unclear if they are displacing car journeys.

There are numerous reports of people riding on pavements and on the wrong side of the road and of groups of riders racing

round streets and parks in packs. Helmets are rarely used and more than one rider on board is not uncommon.

In addition to risking injury if they encounter one of the many potholes on the city’s roads, I have serious misgivings about the risk of an e-scooter colliding with an elderly pedestrian or going under a bus.

The council and promoter needed to learn the lessons of the Mobike fiasco before considering this pilot.

I hope the experiment can still succeed but much more needs to be done to give the public confidence their use is safe, wellmanaged and is reducing traffic levels.

Cllr Greg Stone (Lib Dem), Opposition transport spokesperson, Newcastle City Council