E-scooters would help city battle air pollution

Transport issues and air pollution are never far from the headlines in these days of trying to deal with climate change. Charges afoot to drive certain vehicles in certain parts of the city are just one of the measures being inroduced in Portsmouth to improve air quality.

The coronavirus pandemic has shown us that the distinct lack of traffic in the early weeks of lockdown made a huge difference to all sorts of things – fumes in the air and even the colour of our coastal waters.

We have also seen a number of cycle ways introduced in a way that people can social distance safely.

Now one idea being considered for the city is to have a fleet of e-scooters.

Operated in a similar way to city bike rental schemes, there would be a number of ‘stations’ throughout the city whereby would-be users would be able to unlock a scooter and pay by the minute through an app.

The e-scooters feature swappable batteries, a foldable helmet, indicator lights and trackers to prevent crime.

It is currently illegal to ride an e-scooter on a public road, cyle lane or pavement.

But if a trial, which is being considered by Portsmouth City Council, is given the go-ahead then scooters would be allowed on cycle lanes or pavements in certain areas.

One of the attractions must surely be being able to scoot around town and avoid the everincreasing traffic delays that come with life in 2020.

It would also be a fun way to see the city for visitors and locals alike.

Climate change and air pollution isn’t going to go away anytime soon and e-scooters are already available in 70 cities across nine countries plus the fact the government has stumped up £2bn for local authorities to invest in greener travel, now is as good a time as any to introduce the hi-tech mode of transport to Portsmouth.