E-Scooter Trial Information

Response

Please find below the information we have identified as relevant to your request. Please be aware that the information collected for this request was identified using a key word search. Key word searches are problematic as they do not necessarily provide an accurate response. If the key words have not been mentioned, the data will not be collected. Vice versa, if the key words have been mentioned in an unrelated context, irrelevant data will be collected.

There was no monitoring of e-scooters in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary force area prior to the trials therefore no information has been identified for question four. Prior to the trials all use of e-scooters on public roads would have only been recorded as an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 thus would require a manual review to ascertain a figure to compare with. According to the act, ‘e-scooters’ fall under the legal definition of a motor vehicle which therefore require a rider to have the appropriate insurance and a licence. However since the trials have begun, the constabulary now has a ‘force lead’ to monitor occurrences where an e-scooter, trail or private, has been recorded as having been involved.

Please note, where the trial company has a system in place for people to report issues directly to them, they will not be included in the dataset above. The company for the trial e-scooters, Voi, employ Street Ambassadors who may deal with incidents therefore the data provided below is only reflective of reports made to the constabulary.

Somerset West and Somerset South:

Since the e-scooter trial went live in Somerset West and Somerset South there have been no collision reports identified in which these e-scooters were involved.

There have been a total of six reports made to the constabulary regarding anti-social behaviour and the use of an e-scooter in Somerset West and South. It should be noted however that two of these reports related to use and standards of e-scooters on pavements in general and not a specific anti-social behaviour incident.

There have been no reports made to the constabulary regarding trial e-scooters being abandoned or obstructing pavements in Somerset West and South.

There was no monitoring of e-scooters in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary force area prior to the trials, therefore no information has been identified regarding question four of your request. Prior to the trials all use of e-scooters on public roads would have only been recorded as an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 thus would require a manual review to ascertain a figure to compare with. According to the act, ‘e-scooters’ fall under the legal definition of a motor vehicle which therefore require a rider to have the appropriate insurance and a licence. However since the trials have begun in Somerset, the constabulary now has a ‘force lead’ to monitor occurrences where an e-scooter, trail or private, has been recorded as having been involved.

Please note, where the trial company has a system in place for people to report issues directly to them, they will not be included in the dataset above. The data provided is only reflective of reports made to the constabulary.

 Bristol and Bath:

Since the trial of e-scooter went live in Bristol and Bath there have been a total of four injury collision reports identified in which these e-scooters were involved. In addition we have also received a further report of a non-injury collision however, as there is no requirement to report non-injury RTCs, it is likely this figure is not a true one. The details of the four reports recorded are as follows;

1. An e-scooter collided with a pedal cyclist
2. Collision between a car and e-scooter
3. A passing lorry clipped a man on an e-scooter, causing him to fall off.
4. Male on an e-scooter was knocked off by a passing car which failed to stop.

There have been a total of 17 reports where a person has caused problems by the manner of their riding of a rental scooter. However, there have been a few other incidents which could be classed as ASB but doesn’t relate to the use of the scooter per se. For example, where a report is made regarding the use of drugs but where those involved have used an e-scooter to leave the area prior to police attendance.

There has been a total of eight reports made to the constabulary regarding trial e-scooters being abandoned or obstructing pavements in Bristol and Bath. It should be noted however that two of these reports were ‘paused rides’ – where the rider has stopped to enter a shop and five of these reports were where members of the public believed the e-scooters had been abandoned however they were in designated parking bays.