First stage of e-scooter trial comes to city

An e-scooter scheme being trialled in Brighton and Hove has received a mixed response, with some saying it will make it "easy to get around" while others are concerned they could be used dangerously.

Brighton & Hove City Council has launched the first 100 e-scooters as part of its trial in the city on Friday, with the aim to eventually have 300.

Residents have praised the scheme as good for short commutes, but others have also warned that they could be misused despite safety features put in place.

Under the new scheme, scooters will be initially rolled out at 20 sites in the city, and will be available through the Beryl app, which is already used for Brighton's cycle hire scheme.

The scooters will only be available to people over 18 who hold at least a provisional driving licence, and can only be ridden on roads, cycle lanes and in public spaces.

Having tried the scooters on Friday morning, Shona Mackintosh said: "They are really fun - a bit wobbly, but quite fun."

Marita Digne, who was visiting Brighton from Norway, told BBC Radio Sussex: "It's easy to get around, but you have to be careful about setting rules about alcohol and parking.

"I would use them. They have them back home, and we use them everywhere."

Scooters are limited to 12.5mph (20.1km/h), and will not be able to be hired between midnight and 05:00 BST.

Riders will also be incentivised, but not required, to wear helmets.

The scheme also includes a number of "no-go areas" where e-scooters cannot be ridden, including The Lanes, The Level and Kensington Gardens.

Temporary restrictions can also be put in place around areas such as Preston Park and St James's Street for events such as Brighton Pride, and speeds will be further restricted near Brighton Palace Pier.

Ayo Isinkaye said he "definitely wouldn't use the scooters", citing confusion about whether they were allowed on pavements. E-scooters are banned from being used on pavements.

Lucas Duellberg-Webb said the scooters would be "good for leaving a late-night shift", but that he personally would not use them.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, said he thought the safety limits imposed on the trial made it one of the most highly regulated in the country.

He said: "I think it is a very positive and well thought through trial.

"It's about encouraging people around how we can use them legally, and stopping people using illegal e-scooters."

E-scooters outside of the public transport trial are illegal to use on roads, pavements and in public spaces.

Currently e-scooters are available at both Brighton and Hove railway stations, on the seafront and across the city centre.

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