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We have electric scooter rental where I live in the UK (Bath). They are restricted to one operator (Voi), you need at least a provisional driver's licence, they
by steve_gh 4y ago
We have electric scooter rental where I live in the UK (Bath). They are restricted to one operator (Voi), you need at least a provisional driver's licence, they automatically lock if you try and ride 2-up. and there are specified parking spots.
I use them a little bit (having an interest in SMart Cities), although in general I will tend to walk for shorter trips.
Overall, I think it is a success, albeit with some niggles.
- The parking can be a bit of a hassle, as many spots only take a limited number of scooters. I had a hospital appointment a few weeks ago, but when I arrived, there was no free parking at the hospital - so I had to park the scooter a few hundred metres away and walk.
- The original use-zone was quite limited, but it has expanded to cover much of the city. There are still range limitations, as Bath is very hilly!
- Best of all, the scooters have led to a change in driver behaviour, as they are now very much an expected part of city traffic. I see a lot more courtesy on the roads now.
I'm not sure how much car use has decreased as a result of the scooters, but I think it is slowly happening. It's mainly younger folk using the scooters, and I suspect that there is a slow change happening where they either don't get cars, or use them less.