More rules for e-scooters
MORE restrictions have been put on Newcastle’s e-scooters to stop them being ridden dangerously by “overly exuberant revellers” now that pubs can open again.
To try and stop anyone from hopping on an e-scooter after their first few pints back at the pub, an offence which could see people banned from the roads, operator Neuron has imposed temporary limits on their use in the city centre which will be in force until Sunday.
Riders will be prevented from parking the electric vehicles in large parts of the city centre between 6pm and 11pm, including around Central Station, Monument, Haymarket, Cathedral Square and Dean Street.
The orange scooters will be limited to a top speed of 9mph in that zone, rather than their usual 15mph.
Neuron also announced that it will be deploying a greater number of its safety ambassadors in the city centre and Jesmond and that a reaction test aimed at helping people decide whether they should be riding an e-scooter will appear on its app whenever anyone tries to hire a scooter after 6pm.
Complaints about the scooters being misused has already prompted the imposition of an overnight curfew, meaning they cannot be hired between 11pm and 5am.
Neuron said: “With Monday seeing the much awaited return of pubs and other entertainment venues in the city centre, Neuron and Newcastle City Council are keen to ensure that the e-scooters aren’t seen as an option for overly exuberant revellers.”
Chris Miles, Neuron’s city manager, added: “Like everyone we’re excited for the lockdown to end and can’t wait for more people to have the opportunity to use our e-scooters.
“We look forward to helping people reconnect with their friends and families but it’s important that we all do everything we can to make sure that e-scooters continue to be used safely.
“We advise all new and existing riders to follow the rules and to ride responsibly.”
The e-scooters have proved a controversial addition to Newcastle since arriving in February, with complaints about people spotted riding them on pavements, ‘zig-zagging’ across roads, and riding two people to a scooter.
Six people were banned from the roads last month after being caught riding the e-scooters in Jesmond – five who were found to be over the legal alcohol limit and another who refused to provide a breath specimen.
The scooters can be used only by over-18s with a provisional and full driving licence and can be ridden only on roads, bus lanes and cycle lanes where the speed limit is 30mph or less, plus pavements that are designated cycleways.
They can be hired in parts of the city centre, Sandyford, Shieldfield, Jesmond and Gosforth.
Riders can get 30p discounts if they park at a designated area rather than in a random street, and if they take a pic showing themselves wearing a helmet before their ride.