E-scooter trial to be rolled out to six new towns

E-scooter rentals will be rolled out to six towns across Dorset after two new trials were approved.

Dorset Council gave the green light for two schemes in Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and Chickerell and Corfe Mullen and Upton, at its cabinet meeting on July 28.

Cllr Jon Andrews, cabinet member for place services, said the trials offered "a safe, regulated alternative to existing illegal e-scooter use".

He added the greener mode of travel would also offer more choice for residents and visitors, but he recognised concerns raised around safety and accessibility.

Beryl bikes will run the trial in Corfe Mullen and Upton, as an extension of its existing e-scooter rental scheme in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP).

While Dorset Council will put the Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and Chickerell scheme out to tender to find an operator.

In a report to cabinet, Dorset Police, said it recognised the transport benefits the trial offered but highlighted safety concerns including increasing the risk of collisions with pedestrians and vehicles.

It also raised concerns about irresponsible riding and poor parking.

Officers recommended strong safety measures should be introduced, with geo-fencing to ensure scooters automatically slow in higher risk areas, reduced speeds in pedestrian zones, and 'no ride' zones where necessary.

County, town and parish councillors will help to create geo-fencing areas.

Rental e-scooters are only legal as part of government approved trials and operate under strict controls.

All riders would need a valid driving licence, and all scooters would be insured and maintained by the operators.

The schemes, which were approved unanimously at Cabinet, will need final approval from the Department for Transport.

They will be closely monitored and could be changed or withdrawn if needed.

BCP's existing e-scooter scheme, which is the second best performing trial in the UK, recorded more than 936,000 journeys, covering more than 3.15million km, in three years.

Beryl's figures claim the trips have saved the more than 318,000 trips by car and reduced carbon emissions.