Agenda item

Purpose of Report

This report provides an update on the operation of the rental e-scooter trial and seeks approval to further extend the rental e-scooter trial from the current scheduled end date of 30 November 2022 until 31 May 2024.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation:

Notes the information contained in the report on the rental e-scooter trial to date, including Voi's commitment to continue to run Safety Skills events and providing complimentary helmets to attendees at the events.

Approves renewal of the Vehicle Special Order (VSO) for Portsmouth's e-scooter rental scheme to 31 May 2024, in accordance with the Department for Transport's new end date, to legally enable the trial to extend beyond its scheduled end date of 30 November 2022.

Approves the extension of Voi's contract, initially by 12 months, to enable Voi to continue operating the trial beyond the scheduled expiry of the current contract period on 30 November 2022.

Notes that an update of the rental e-scooter trial to date will be brought to a Traffic and Transportation Cabinet Member Decision meeting in September 2023, as well as any decisions to be made about the service with respect to the remainder of the trial or the post-May 2024 period.

Gareth James, Future Transport Zone Project Manager introduced the report.

Councillor Stagg noted that problems with scooters can be reported even without the registration number on 0800 376 8179.

In response to questions, Gareth James clarified the following points: 2

Serious injuries that have been recorded in Portsmouth have not been life-changing and affected the user rather than third parties such as pedestrians.

37% of users reported that their use of public transport has reduced since the start of the trial. It is not known whether this is affecting some bus routes more than others. If you don't need a car for the first part of your journey, you may use public transport or walk for the second part.

Respondents were asked how they would have made the journey if they had not used an e-scooter. The percentage of people using e-scooters instead of a car is at the high end of expectations compared with international cities.

Safety is paramount. The first recommendation in the report is to continue to offer the training sessions in more areas of the city and promote helmet use. The report indicates that users feel safer in segregated bicycle lanes, officers are therefore looking more actively into tying in with planned cycle routes.

The number of respondents who said that they used an e-scooter and would recommend others to do so has reduced slightly. The main barrier to using the service that users reported was the availability of parking. Work is ongoing to extend and improve parking facilities.

Surveys tend to attract respondents with strong views on the subject, for or against, and those with more moderate views do not participate as often.

One of the main concerns raised was the use of private scooters.

The best source for accident data is the provider although it is self-reported. Police forces across the county report e-scooter accidents in different ways.

Bike share schemes have recently started in the city and Southampton. The council is looking into what kind of accident comparison could be made.

The Department for Transport is gathering feedback from many stakeholders to shape the legislation that it will introduce in 2024.

Actions

1. More detail will be sought regarding the effect on public transport, who the users are, the journeys they are taking and their mode of transport.

2. The council will talk to the consultancy that is helping with the monitoring and evaluation of the scheme about how to obtain a more representative sample.

3. The Hampshire Constabulary's position on the illegal use of private e-scooters on public land will be reported back.

DECISIONS

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.     Noted the information contained in the report on the rental e-scooter trial to date, including Voi's commitment to continue running Safety Skills events and providing complimentary helmets to attendees at the events.

2.     Approved renewal of the Vehicle Special Order (VSO) for Portsmouth's e-scooter rental scheme to 31 May 2024, in accordance with the Department for Transport's new end date, to legally enable the trial to extend beyond its scheduled end date of 30 November 2022.

3.     Approved the extension Voi's contract, initially by 12 months, to enable Voi to continue operating the trial beyond the scheduled expiry of the current Contract Period on 30 November 2022.

4.     Noted that an update of the rental e-scooter trial to date will be brought to a Traffic and Transportation Cabinet Member Decision Meeting in September 2023, as well as any decisions to be made about the service with respect to the remainder of the trial or the post-May 2024 period.