E-SCOOTERS could continue to be used on the streets of Colchester for another six months after the Government extended a trial – with new laws over their use expected to be introduced.
TIER e-scooters have been available to hire in the city since the summer following the company’s acquisition of SPIN, which previously ran the service.
The scooters, which were on trial until November, must not be ridden on footpaths or pavements and can only be used on public land in Essex.
Essex County Council told the Gazette it understands legislation over the use of E-scooters in the UK is scheduled for May 2024.
The nationwide trial has been extended by the Department for Transport until May next year.
English local authorities now have the option of continuing pilot schemes for rental e-scooters.
This will allow the Government to “gather further evidence where gaps are identified, building on the findings of the current evaluation”.
Talks are ongoing over the potential extension of the scheme in Essex.
A county council spokesman said TIER figures show more than 1.4 million journeys have been made as part of the trial across Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon.
He said: “We remain committed to the e-scooter trial in Essex, which is trialling the use of a new form of low carbon transport in the county.
“Being part of the TIER e-scooter trial means we can help shape it.
“As always, public safety is of the utmost concern during the trial.
“The council and TIER are working closely with disability groups and district, city and borough council partners to further fine tune the operation model and will continue to do so going forward.”
The scooters can be ridden on cycle paths, but Colchester residents and business owners have complained about users flouting the rules.
One 70-year-old, from Colchester, has taken to photographing rule-breakers.
He said: “For every one I see being ridden correctly on the road there has been ten or more on pavements, not on cycle paths.”
An Essex Police spokesman said: "Anyone riding a trial e-scooter must adhere to the conditions of use set out by the hire company, stick to the designated areas and adhere to the highway code.
"Any rider who does not comply with these conditions will be stopped and can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice and potentially seizure of the e-scooter."
Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use in a public place, which includes all roads and pavements.
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