The vehicles are banned on pavements and will be limited to 15.5mph
From Lisbon, to Berlin, to Paris, e-scooters are revolutionising modern city transport and Coventry is now hoping to get in on the act too.
The city was chosen alongside Birmingham as one of two trial areas in the West Midlands to assess the benefits of the two-wheeled transport.
It was announced in May the trials were to be brought forward 12 months as the country looks to accelerate alternative post-lockdown travel, with e-scooters seen to offer the potential for fast, clean and inexpensive travel that can also help ease the burden on transport networks and allow for social distancing.
But what has happened since that announcement? And where is Coventry with its plans?
Since the announcement, work has been ongoing to appoint the operator for an as-of-yet undisclosed number of e-scooters which users will be able to rent at a cost.
Around 30 expressions of interest have so far been made, Transport for West Midlands, who is partnering Coventry and Birmingham councils in the project, has said.
Crucially, since May’s announcement, rental e-scooters are now legal on public roads as a result of new government legislation that came into force on July 1.
Previously e-scooters could only be legally used on private property.
The vehicles are banned on pavements, however, and will be limited to 15.5mph and it is recommended that riders wear helmets.
Privately owned e-scooters also remain illegal on roads.
Four trial areas have been drawn up, including two in the north east of the city, one in the city centre, and another ‘Coventry and Kenilworth’ route incorporating the University of Warwick.
Coventry City Council said it has applied for all four areas for the trials and is waiting to hear back on contract tenders.
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 1:42 pm