Agenda item

Cabinet received a report which sought approval for Buckinghamshire Council to extend the current e-scooter rental trial schemes in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough. This would extend the trial period from November 2022 to May 2024.

The continuation of the e-scooter trials would support the Council’s ambitions to be a ‘living lab’ for innovation. The scheme would also support the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy by promoting sustainable low-carbon transport alternatives for shorter trips.  The e-scooter trial was managed at zero cost to the Council as they were run as a private business by an operator.

The e-scooter trial was facilitated by the Department for Transport and the Council was therefore required to inform Department for Transport of its decision by 31 October 2022.

There had been over 191,000 rides in Buckinghamshire since the trials began in 2020.  In contrast, there had been only four reported health and safety incidents across the Buckinghamshire schemes, equating to 0.002% of all rides.  However, it was acknowledged that a handful of these incidents had received media attention, which had resulted in mixed opinions on the safety of e-scooters.

The extension of the trial would enable the Department for Transport to gather additional usage data post-COVID, which would provide a better understanding of ‘normal’ use patterns.  The extension would also allow the Department for Transport  time to finalise legislation making all e-scooters road-legal, whether privately owned or part of a hire scheme.

Subject to agreement to extend the e-scooter trial, the Council would continue using Zipp Mobility as its preferred operator for e-scooters. The Council continued to have a good relationship with this supplier, and they had proven fundamental to the success of the trial schemes so far. This scheme was zero cost to the Council financially. Due to the overall value of this concession contract, the intention was to use a waiver to extend the contract which was already in place with Zipp to May 2024.  

RESOLVED –

That it be AGREED to extend the end date for the e-scooter trials taking place in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough until May 2024, as part of the national trial.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval for Buckinghamshire Council to extend the current e-scooter rental trial schemes in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough. This would extend the trial period from November 2022 to May 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Transport reported that the continuation of the e-scooter trials would support the Council’s ambitions to be a ‘living lab’ for innovation. The scheme would also support the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy by promoting sustainable low-carbon transport alternatives for shorter trips.  The e-scooter trial was managed at zero cost to the Council as they were run as a private business by an operator.

The e-scooter trial was facilitated by the Department for Transport and the Council was therefore required to inform Department for Transport of its decision by 31 October 2022.

There had been over 191,000 rides in Buckinghamshire since the trials began in 2020.  In contrast, there had been only four reported health and safety incidents across the Buckinghamshire schemes, equating to 0.002% of all rides.  However, it was acknowledged that a handful of these incidents had received media attention, which had resulted in mixed opinions on the safety of e-scooters.

The extension of the trial would enable the Department for Transport to gather additional usage data post-COVID, which would provide a better understanding of ‘normal’ use patterns.  The extension would also allow the Department for Transport  time to finalise legislation making all e-scooters road-legal, whether privately owned or part of a hire scheme.

Subject to agreement to extend the e-scooter trial, the Council would continue using Zipp Mobility as its preferred operator for e-scooters. The Council continued to have a good relationship with this supplier, and they had proven fundamental to the success of the trial schemes so far. This scheme was zero cost to the Council financially. Due to the overall value of this concession contract, the intention was to use a waiver to extend the contract which was already in place with Zipp to May 2024.  

The Cabinet Member for Transport referred to the concerns regarding collisions. Out of 3656 collisions in the Thames Valley police region in 2021 (which covers other local authority areas and e-scooter rental schemes), there were only 28 collisions involving e-scooters, representing less than 1% of all collisions in the Thames Valley region. This also represented only 2% of all collisions involving e-scooters reported nationally.

During discussion the following points were made:-

·         Reference was made to procurement. Members noted that if the Council were to go out to procurement now rather than continue with Zipp it would mean a large break in service for at least 3 – 6 months whilst the Council sought to find another provider. There would also be a loss of local employment and potential costs associated with reviewing and replacing all the bays. Cabinet Members welcomed the fact that there would be a continuity of provision which would not impact employment.

·         A Cabinet Member referred to the Aylesbury statistics and that 29% of journeys had replaced motor vehicle transport. He asked for clarification on what constituted misuse and whether they could be used on the pavement. In response the Cabinet Member reported that in all three areas a number of car journeys had been replaced which reduced congestion and emissions. Some residents had adopted the e-scooter as a form of transport. Of those comments received the majority were reporting issues with pavement riding and other misuse of the scooters which were passed onto Zipp to take appropriate action. E-scooters could be used on a shared pathway.

·         Only Zipp Mobility e-scooters were legal in Buckinghamshire. Privately owned e-scooters could only be used on private land, with the permission of the landowner. 

·         A Cabinet Member reported that it would be good to encourage helmet wearing when using e-scooters. Current guidance were that helmets were encouraged but not a legal requirement. This was under review. If Buckinghamshire said that helmets should be mandatory this could impact on usage. However to incentivise use of helmets, Zipp offer a £5 credit to anyone who wears a helmet whilst riding.

·         E-scooter use should be encouraged with larger employers. This obviously related to the zone areas which should be matched to places of work. The numbers of scooters, potential routes and parking locations were agreed with stakeholders and the operator at the outset. These were reviewed on a monthly basis to ensure issues such as safety concerns could be resolved quickly and to meet new demand where required. E-scooters were also promoted through Community Boards. 

RESOLVED –

That it be AGREED to extend the end date for the e-scooter trials taking place in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Princes Risborough until May 2024, as part of the national trial.