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E-scooter trials extended despite safety concerns

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire
News imageVoi A woman, holding a phone, wearing a helmet and standing by a group of e-scooters in a bike rack. She is wearing a red and white striped top, blue jeans and white top. She is looking towards the left and is wearing glasses. Steps to a railway station are behind her. Voi
Voi e-scooters have been able to be hired across Northamptonshire for six years

E-scooter trials across a county have been extended after two councils said they would continue to work with police and operator Voi to make travelling safe for all road users.

West Northamptonshire Council, which approved the trial in Northampton, said it would continue until 2027 "while further improvements are introduced to enhance safety and address community concerns".

The trial for the North Northamptonshire area will continue until May 2028.

Richard Butler, Reform UK cabinet member for highways and transport at West Northants, said the scooters were "used daily by many people" but he wanted to continue work to make the streets safer.

News imageVoi/North Northamptonshire Council A man getting on an e-scooter outside Corby Railway Station - a mostly glass fronted building, with a clock to the right. Another red e-scooter is to the right. The man is wearing a black T-shirt and grey trousers, a helmet and sunglasses. He also has a beard.Voi/North Northamptonshire Council
E-scooters are a more environmentally friendly way to travel and are convenient for many residents, the two councils say

Voi scooters were first introduced in 2020 and can now be spotted in Burton Latimer, Corby, Higham Ferrers, Kettering, Rushden, Wellingborough and Northampton.

They are used by thousands of people every month.

Butler said the scooters were "used daily by many people as a reliable and affordable way of getting around Northampton".

However, he added the trial's continuation was based on improvements to make streets safer - with the council adding that "many feel key issues such as riding on pavements, tandem riding, and under-age use have not been fully resolved".

Butler said: "Removing the scheme now, without a suitable alternative in place, could push some toward using illegal private e‑scooters, which would present far greater risks."

He said Voi would be held to its commitments to address concerns including "improved parking compliance, stronger enforcement against misuse, better rider education and closer working with the council and police". The company has been contacted for comment.

In 2023, Voi launched a 'We Share the Road' campaign to raise awareness of the rules of the road for e-scooter and e-bike users following some accidents in the county.

News imageAlex Pope/BBC A Voi e-scooter rack, with a bike on it, in the middle of a town, with people walking past. There are other metal bike racks to the right. Alex Pope/BBC
Voi e-scooter bikes are used in the majority of Northamptonshire's towns

North Northamptonshire Council said the trial's extension meant further investment in the service.

"Currently about 40% of journeys are work-related and we hope to see this figure increase as more residents switch to this method of travel."

It said it remained "committed to working with Voi and the police to ensure the scheme is safe for all road users".

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