A major trial of electric scooters across Scunthorpe has been launched by North Lincolnshire Council after funding was confirmed.
The 12-month trial – which sees 20 e-scooters made available for hire via an app from five stations located across the town – is now live.
It is part of the council’s plans to encourage people to use affordable, greener forms of transport and improve air quality.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Safety will clearly be a priority during this e-scooter rental trial though our aims are to provide a whole range of clean, green transport opportunities for people across the area.
“The smart technology will be critical in providing further information and insight as to how e-scooters can become a viable, long term part of a greener and healthier future for Scunthorpe.
“We’re committed to helping people get about the town in the ways which best suit them but which are safe, secure and efficient too.
“This latest investment of Government cash will further support the area as we move towards renewal and begin the process of building back better.”
The announcement comes after the Department for Transport (DfT) sought to expand trials of rental e-scooters to support a green restart of local travel and help mitigate reduced public transport capacity due to Covid-19.
The trial is being run in partnership with shared transport service providers Ginger, which is financing the project.
The main focus of the trial is in and around the Central Park area of Scunthorpe, supporting the colleges, University Campus and Pods leisure centre.
The e-scooters will be lockable, unlockable and traceable through an app which can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices. Geofencing technology will be used to control where the scooters can and cannot be used – such as pedestrian areas – and also if they are not returned to a charging station.
With a range of up to 15 miles per charge and a top speed of 10 mph, the scooters will be able to be used on the road and in cycle lanes but not pavements.
Following the launch, usage will be monitored and the locations may be changed. They are priced in line with existing public transport methods, currently costing £2 for 20 minutes.
For more information on how the scooters work, parking bays and downloading the app, go to the Ginger website.
The e-scooter launch comes after the Government funded a £200,000 cycling infrastructure upgrade across the area, with Scunthorpe, Brigg and Barton all benefiting from radical reshaping of cycle lanes through increased integration with the existing road network.
The council has also recently announced that a successful scheme to help young people travel to work or training has joined the green revolution – with low cost, electric scooters now available to hire.
Young people who need support to make the journey to work or training can now rent one of ten new electric scooters from North Lincolnshire Council.
