Sometimes UK law can be strange. It's illegal for a private individual to use their electric scooters anywhere except their private land, but it is legal to hire one from an authorised company to use on public roads, so York is at the cutting edge, having made an agreement with a company called Tier to make them available in the city.
They were launched last October, with an initial 50 scooters, though the number seems to have grown quite quickly since then.
To use them you need a driving license, and the app downloaded onto your phone. It then costs £1 to unlock one and 15p per minute until you lock it again at a designated scooter park (which seems rather expensive).
The company employs 20 staff to regularly replace batteries, collect and repair damaged e scooters.
So does it work? I haven't heard of any accidents, but then we have been in lockdown, so perhaps that is not so surprising. However, I have seen them ridden on pavements (illegal), and used in the pedestrianised areas (they are supposed to be fitted with a speed governor to slow them down in the pedestrian areas to a speed where the rider would get off and push them). It does seem to be an interesting idea, but they are something extra that pedestrians are going to have to look out for and avoid.
It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on this idea.
Hmmmm, sounds like a bit of a recipe for chaos, i’m sure your sidewalks are busy enough with people walking. And the roads don’t need any extra traffic.
Well if I were younger and had no balance issues, I think it would be great fun but I also believe they could cause a nasty accident in the wrong hands. Certainly to use them with no training could be dangerous!
I really dislike them, because they are the cause of lots of accidents. Lots of people use them in Spain, without any regard for traffic rules or security: they ride them on sidewalks, they listen to music on them, so they can hear the traffic... I even saw a young "lady" riding on one while pushing a pram with a baby! I think they could be a really interesting means of transport in the cities if there were clear rules and laws and people obeyed them. (There are rules, but they were created after the scooter invasion, so most people just ignore them - and police are really busy as it is with covid restrictions to go after them).
They have scooter to rent in the downtown area. They are very hard to see because you are not looking for them. And, yes, there have been many accidents. It is illegal to ride them on the sidewalk but you do see people doing it. Nice shot.
It is quite in vogue here . Only there are no designated scooter parks and they are just abandoned wherever the rider wants. Sometimes blocking pavements. The other day I found my drive way blocked and I was so angry that I kicked it out of the way.
Thank you all for your interesting comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Most of you have reservations, like me. It will be interesting to see how they are used and how dangerous they are now the city centre is becoming busier following the recent relaxation of Covid-19 rules.
Ian
April 15th, 2021
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Thank you all for your interesting comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Most of you have reservations, like me. It will be interesting to see how they are used and how dangerous they are now the city centre is becoming busier following the recent relaxation of Covid-19 rules.
Ian