An extension may be sought for the trial of rental e-scooters on the Isle of Wight.
Beryl e-scooters were introduced to the Island in November 2020, following a successful bid by Solent Transport — a partnership of the four local transport authorities in Southampton, Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Island — to the Department for Transport (DfT).
A ‘green’ restart of local travel
The government were looking to support a ‘green’ restart of local travel, following the Covid pandemic, and fast-tracked and expanded trials of rental e-scooters.
Initial trials on the Island lasted for a year before an extension was granted by the DfT for another 12 months.
6,250 rides were taken in August
There are now 125 e-scooters on the Island and latest figures from Beryl show in August, there were 118 vehicles on the street.
More than 6,250 rides were taken during the month, with an average duration of 22 minutes and an average distance travelled of 3.04km.
Another extension being sought
With the scheme now set to run out at the end of next month (November), an extension may be sought for the trial until March 202, which would operate alongside the recently-introduced public bike share scheme.
The matter will be discussed at the Isle of Wight council’s policy and scrutiny committee for neighbourhoods and regeneration on Thursday, 7th October.
Feedback to inform legislation
The committee is also being asked to provide feedback to the DfT to help inform future decisions and legislation around the use of e-scooters.
The council say it is anticipated, following the trials, the DfT would assess whether the e-scooters should be legalised in the UK as part of their Future Transport Regulatory Review.
The use of privately owned e-scooters on the public highway will remain illegal during the trial period.
Most used e-scooter bays
Popular destination bays for the e-scooters in August included the Red Jet Terminal (241 rides); Taylor Road, Gunville (222); Princes Esplanade, Gurnard (186); Ryde Hoverport (185) and Sandown Pier (160).
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
