BOSSES at the company behind Colchester’s e-scooter trials have reassured residents improvements made mean they can adapt “really quickly” to issues.
It comes as Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company, reaches the conclusion of its first year undertaking trials of the electronic transport in the UK.
Teething problems with the scooters have seen residents raise concerns about the safety of the scheme, but Spin has stated it is doing all it can to remedy the issues.
One such problem has been scooters left abandoned on the streets, posing as a trip hazard and general eyesore within the town.
Steve Pyer, the Spin UK country manager, said new ideas put into action have given the firm “great control” over the devices.
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“There’s a lot for us to consider; the roads of Milton Keynes are massively different to those in Roman Colchester,” said Mr Pyer.
“The scooters now have a camera on the front which learns the area’s streets. It can identify when it is in a proper parking space with pinpoint accuracy.
“It will detect if people use it on the pavement and will be able to slow the scooter down to a stop until it is being used legitimately.
“This is a massive leap forward, we have great control over the scooters. It means any issues we can adapt to overcome really quickly.”
Concerns have also been apparent throughout the trials about the safety of visually impaired pedestrians.
Peter Blackman, chairman of Essex e-scooter trials stakeholder group, said: “Both public and private scooters aren’t heard, people who are visually impaired can’t detect them coming.
“People are surprised and jump out of their skins seeing one ride past them.
“Speeds have been reduced on the Spin scooters following concerns raised, but inevitably the privately owned e-scooters are causing a lot of fear which needs to be addressed.
“We want all riders of e-scooters to take it as everyone they’re seeing can’t hear and can’t see.
“If that happens it will solve a lot of problems.”
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