West Midlands to launch e-scooters trial next week

The West Midlands Combited Authority has announced plans to roll out e-scooters in Birmingham and Coventry from next Thursday (September 10). 

The public will initially be able to access and ride the scooters in Birmingham and Coventry’s city centre, but the authority has said they plan to expand the trial zones as the trial progresses. 

The DfT passed legislation earlier this year to accelerate the deployment of e-scooters across the UK in order to assist sustainable travel as the country emerges from lockdown.

To ensure safety, the Department for Transport (DfT) has also required a speed limit for the e-scooters of 15.5mph on roads and 5mph in pedestrianised areas. 

Swedish company Voi has been appointed to operate the e-scooters, they have declared that all scooters will be COVID secure with Shieldex Copper-Tape attached to the handlebars to kill 99.98% of coronavirus on contact. 

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: ‘The West Midlands is proud to be leading the way on future transport development, and it is great to be able to partner with Voi and reveal our plans for e-scooters across the region.

‘E-scooters will help bring more flexibility, choice, and greener travel solutions for the West Midlands, at a time when we are facing a climate emergency and urging people to leave the car at home.

‘E-scooters unquestionably offer a healthier, more environmentally friendly, alternative to the car for shorter journeys around our towns and cities, which will in turn help to ease traffic congestion and tackle air pollution.

‘As well as the improvements to our transport network, e-scooters could also be a much-needed boost for the region’s economy, helping to attract people back into our town and city centres.

‘It is a great coup for the West Midlands to be at the forefront of the Government’s e-scooter trial, and I look forward to continuing to work with Voi and local authorities to make sure we maximise the potential of e-scooters across the region.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay