Barnstaple e-scooter trial underway

Police remind users to obey law

A year-long trial of e-scooters is underway in Barnstaple.

North Devon Council say the fleet of bright yellow scooters offer a greener alternative to getting around the town, reducing "unnecessary car journeys that can contribute to congestion within town centres and built-up residential areas." 

The 50 scooters can be ridden legally by anyone with a driving licence. They cost 20 pence a minute plus a pound, or £20 a week, or £30 a month to hop on and hop off at will.

But Devon and Cornwall Police have some concerns, although they did give some input into the scheme, which is run via an app from a private company called Zapp. 

It is illegal to ride private e-scooters in a public place, unless they are part of a scheme like the Barnstaple one.

And South Western Railway joined GWR in banning them from their trains and stations this month, declaring them a fire risk.

The cops worry abut potential misuse, which could lead to injury or anti-social behaviour, and are reminding riders the rules of the road apply to e-scooters as they do other vehicles. So you will be nicked, for example, if you drink and ride.

Inspector Andy Wills, who looks after the Barnstaple police area, said: “There is a big difference between public place use of privately owned e-scooters which is illegal, and the lawful use of scheme e-scooters when they are ridden in compliance with the law.

"We understand that the majority of e-scooter users will be responsible and we don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun. The e-scooters can provide an environmental benefit to the town and be handy for getting around, however our role is to keep everyone safe and remind those who may break the law that ignorance is not a defence.   

“The key rules I would really like to emphasise about the use of Zipp e-scooters are the following:

You cannot:
•    use the service under the influence of any alcohol or drugs
•    ride on footpaths or pavements 
•    ride the wrong way down roads 
•    have more than one person on a e-scooter at a time 
•    rent a e-scooter on behalf of someone else

“The above are examples of rider behaviours which can result in criminal sanction. For the avoidance of doubt, being caught drink/drug driving on an e-scooter carries the same criminal penalty as driving a car whilst intoxicated. Please for all of our sakes, don’t do it.”

“We support their lawful usage but need to remind riders that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and are reaching out to educate everyone as to the consequences.”

The e-scooters, which are available 24 hours a day via an app, use technology which creates virtual geographical boundaries and this prevents riders from going into pedestrian areas, public open space, such as parks or on to major roads. The maximum speed limit of the scooters is 15.5mph. Riders must be at least 16 years old and hold at least a provisional driving licence. Helmets are recommended, but are not required by law.