Rachel Maclean MP: e-scooter trial is going well in Redditch - The Redditch Standard

Rachel Maclean MP: e-scooter trial is going well in Redditch

Redditch Editorial 26th Jun, 2021   0

By Redditch MP Rachel Maclean:

I’VE seen lots of coverage about e-scooters recently, and whilst there is a minority opposed to this new form of active travel, I’m still proud Redditch is one of the e-scooter trial areas in the country.

We’re trialling e-scooters to see what impact they have on other road users, pedestrians, and those with disabilities and mobility issues, and this will be a vital part of our decision whether to legalise them or not.

The e-scooters you see with the ‘Bird’ logo on them are legal and are part of the trial. You can ride these e-scooters on the road and on cycle paths, but they should not be ridden on pavements.




Privately owned e-scooters are still illegal.

So far, the data from the Redditch e-scooter trial is fantastic.


Over 50,000km have been covered by riders since the trial began. Over 17,540 rides have also taken place, with an average of 2.9km being covered.

Redditch was the first UK town to appoint Bird as their supplier. If you visit their website you’ll see Redditch is featured on the same list as San Francisco, Miami, Tel Aviv and Madrid – I think that’s pretty cool.

I have received a very small number of complaints about the e-scooter trial. But to put this in perspective there are more than 85,000 people in our town, and I’ve received less than 10 emails complaining about the trial. I take their concerns very seriously and I always raise their complaints with Bird.

Bird has issued bans for riders in the Redditch area for bad parking and where they have found riders under-age. Bird also operates a warning system. In all, it has only been necessary to issue punishments for 33 riders in total.

Once the trial has finished, the Government will evaluate the data and decide about the future their use. Until then, I hope local residents will continue to use the e-scooters safely.

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