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Lined up in Melloway.
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Article by Paul Wright, 2021
The new e-scooters have been designed and engineered in Sweden, using insights and data collected since the company's foundation, and the arrival on the streets of Stockholm in 2018.
You may ask, can I ride them at night? They do have built-in front and rear lights that switch on automatically. If you plan on riding in the dark regularly, consider investing in a headlamp (available at cycling shops).
During 2021, the UK government started running trials of electric scooters (e-scooters). There are rules for members of the general public who are using e-scooters that are part of trials.
Briefly these rules include, that e-scooters should only be used within the local area hosting the trial.
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If you venture out of that area, and the scooter will lock.
You must have a current UK driving licence.
E-scooters should be used by one person at a time.
You must not tow anything using an e-scooter.
You must not use a mobile phone when using an e-scooter.
You may use a screen to display navigation information, but this must be set up prior to setting off, etc.
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During May 2021 the ITV “Tonight” programme did raise several concerns regarding e-scooters. You may be able to buy an e-scooter from various sources, but they are not permitted to be used on public roads, and are meant to be used on private land only.
In our neck of the woods, that is North and West Northamptonshire (Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Rushden), they will be on trial through the Spring and Summer months.
So if an Alien being came to earth, they would see these bright orange painted scooters deposited on paths at various street corners in and around our area.
Maybe depending on your age and desire for an adrenalin rush, four words may need to be considered; “Ability, Agility, Stability and most importantly “Fragility”!
The trials are set to last to end in the autumn of 2021.
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