Some e-scooter stats in Essex; 

• Riders typically use e-scooters for short journeys, with an average journey distance of 3 km (1.8 miles) and 23 minutes
• Total distance travelled with Spin e-scooters add up to more than 275,000 km (170,762 miles) since launch
• Ongoing safety initiatives so far have seen 150 individuals participate in Spin Safe in-person training courses and more than 700 helmet giveaways
• Nearly 500 individuals benefited from subsidised schemes including NHS workers, the unemployed and those on a low income in Essex

So what's this all about?  Well, Spin, which is a micro mobility unit of Ford, have announced a few weeks ago that e-scooters have taken more than 100,000 rides since the trial was launched.  This was achieved in just under 5 months and also across six service areas in Essex.  There is a need for socially-distanced means of transport in the area as people are now out and about more now that lockdown has eased.

The trials started small and Spin worked with the Essex Council Council as well as local authorities to carry out the trial.  Customers are able to hire e-scooters long term.  Over 500 individuals are currently benefitting from using the e-scooters so far and with working in-line with Everyday Heroes they offer 30 minute free rides for eligible NHS workers - 430 people signed up for in Essex. 

Commenting on the 100,000 rides milestone, Steve Pyer, UK Country Manager at Spin said, “The pace of e-scooter adoption in Essex represents an exciting shift to more sustainable transport in line with the council’s Safer Greener Healthier campaign. Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, we’re seeing more people use our e-scooters for short journeys to get them to key destinations across the region and reduce the number of short car journeys across Essex. Safety remains our top priority and we’re continuing to educate riders and the wider community about how to ride and park our free-floating e-scooters safely. We do this through a wide range of activities including digital campaigns, in-app notifications, in-person training events, free helmet giveaways. As well as partnerships with London Vision, the sight-loss charity, RoSPA, the road safety organisation and the Sensory Action Alliance, supporting those with sight or hearing loss.”

If you would like more information on how to rent these e-scooters then click here https://www.spin.app/rent-uk.

Important information taken from Ford;

"Available to adults (18+) and who have a valid full or provisional driving licence and who have registered on the Spin App, so riders are covered by insurance, like with any car. If someone else other than the account holder is riding the e-scooter it will be uninsured. Both the rider and account holder will be liable for £300 fine and 6 points on their driving licence. New riders must also view a comprehensive set of rules and instructions and complete a safety test before they can take their first ride.

Information relating to parking areas for each town or city can be found on the Spin App and riders are encouraged to always locate the parking areas before they start riding. In busy town centres there are specific parking areas and clear no-parking zones. Riders must park responsibly and never block access for other road users, including driveways, bus stops and shop entrances. Riders are also educated on parking best practice and need to take a photo of their parked e-scooter to lock it, and these are reviewed for compliance"