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Dorset PCC says – Don’t buy an e-scooter this Christmas

Dorset PCC David Sidwick has met with Beryl UK to discuss the use of their e-scooters in the Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch area.

The illegal use of privately owned e-scooters and the use of the Beryl e-scooters on Dorset’s roads has been a long-held concern for Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick.

At the meeting, both sides discussed examples of dangerous ‘scooting’ behaviours, including Beryl e-scooters being driven carelessly on pavements, discarded ‘piles’ of e-scooters abandoned on walkways and pavements and the perceived inability to ‘complain’ to anyone about their use. The outcome of the meeting was positive and both sides agreed that closer partnership working was important if the scheme was to work effectively in the town.

David Sidwick said: “I want to thank Beryl UK for meeting with me to address the issues surrounding the use of their e-scooters. There were many positive outcomes to our discussions - the introduction of geofenced speed limits (reduced to 3mph) at events such as the Bournemouth Christmas Market; more education promised in Universities and in Higher Education; regular partnership meetings with Dorset Police to highlight hotspot areas and an improvement in the way members of the public contact Beryl UK to make complaints and for more action to be taken against poor scooting.”

Philip Ellis, CEO at Beryl, said, “As the UK's leading micromobility company, our aim is to inspire more people to take up sustainable travel options such as e-scooters, ultimately reducing road congestion and improving air quality and public health.

“Our schemes are delivered both in partnership with councils and in consultation with communities and key stakeholders, which ensures we can meticulously deliver the most beneficial and best possible service for users.

“We pride ourselves on customer service and will continue to work closely with Dorset Police and the Crime Commissioner to ensure that our scheme remains as safe as possible for both users and pedestrians.

“I’d like to remind our customers that they have a responsibility to use our scooters in a safe and legal manner and that failure to do so could lead to prosecution.”

David Sidwick continued “The other issue that needs urgent attention when it comes to e-scooters is that people think they can buy and ride an e-scooter - quite simply - they can’t.”

Privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to ride on the roads, yet there is confusion over the use of e-scooters probably because we see them being used illegally on the streets and people assume that they can just buy one and use it.”

“I take issue with the irresponsible retailers who sell these items, they are quite simply misleading the public. You cannot buy and use an e-scooter on any public land and that includes roads, pavements, pathways, or walkways – so unless you personally own great swathes of land in Dorset you simply cannot ride these machines legally.

“My advice this Christmas is don’t buy an e-scooter unless you want it to be seized by the Police. It’s as simple as that.”

 

Notes

To report issues relating to the use of Beryl e-scooters please contact the Beryl control room on 020 3003 5044 – open 7am to 9pm, 7 days a week or go online at  Beryl-BCP

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