E-Scooter Trial in Birmingham

Birmingham will assess the safety of e-scooters in public once the lockdown is lifted.

02:32 12 May 2020

The UK government has confirmed a scheme that aims to trial e-scooters on public roads once the lockdown is lifted. The first-ever UK trial, which is hoped to revolutionise the way people travel, will take place in West Midlands and will assess the safety of electric scooters in public places in the city. Ministers said that the use of e-scooters, which are currently only used legally on private property, can also help fight climate change. 

 

The scheme is part of the Government's plans to invest £2 billion in cycling and walking to help get Britain moving again over the coming months. The Department for Transport said it wants to explore how this form of transportation can complement the existing public transport system, especially for short trips. 

 

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is proud to be leading the way on future transport development. 

 

"I am pleased the Government has put its faith in us again with this new and innovative trial of e-scooters. 

 

"This trial will help bring more flexibility, choice and greener travel solutions for the region at a time when we are facing a climate emergency and urging people to leave the car at home.

 

"We will also use the trial to look at the current transports challenges the coronavirus pandemic has presented us with and explore how e-scooters could be used to help tackle them. 

 

"No region is better equipped than the West Midlands to test, review and implement trials such as these at pace and scale, and that is testament to the hard work and innovation of those working in our future transport sector."