CARRY ON SCOOTING!
City e-scooter trial set to be extended into 2022 to help gather more data
Sunderland’s e-scooter trial which launched earlier this year looks set to be extended into 2022 so more data on their use can be gathered.
E-scooter operator Neuron began Sunderland’s rental trail at the end of March this year with 200 distinctive orange e-scooters deployed across the city.
In the first four months to August, there were 42,626 rides covering 107,000km (66,500 miles) completed and 45 complaints (0.1% of ride total).
A rider survey in May found that nearly half (42%) of e-scooter rides had directly displaced car journeys meaning about 12,000 fewer car trips in Sunderland and saving over 5,700kg of carbon emissions.
Subject to a decision at Sunderland City Council's next Cabinet meeting next Tuesday, the city's trial could be extended to March 2022.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Graeme Miller said: "It is important that Sunderland continues to take part in the trial as our data contributes to deciding what happens nationally.
"This isn’t about expanding the trial.
"It's about continuing it as the trial began when we had Covid restrictions on where users could go and what they could visit.
"Data from over the summer and from over the winter is going to help inform national decision-making on what happens next.
"E-scooters could then be playing a key part in promoting active and sustainable modes of transport and supporting our moves towards a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland.
"And, subject to more information from the trial, escooters could also help us achieve our low carbon ambitions for becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2040 and a carbon-neutral City Council by 2030."
Neuron said more than 80% of riders in Wearside believe they’ve had a positive impact on Sunderland.
Similar e-scooter trials have been taking place across the UK and are also being extended so the Government and Department for Transport (DfT) can gather more data.
Cllr Miller said the council has the scheme under continuous review.
A nd information from Sunderland and other trials will allow the Government to decide if e-scooters should be fully legalised.