New e-Scooters for Norwich in a UK-first
It's the first place in the country to have three options of transport
Norwich is now the first place in the UK to have three different ways to get around in the city centre.
Beryl e-Scooters have been unveiled, to mark Car-Free Week, joining the bikes and e-bikes already available.
It’s all part of a 12-month trial with Norfolk County Council and the Department for Transport and will see 100 of the new e-Scooters introduced across the city.
The e-Scooters can be used anywhere where cycling is allowed, meaning they can’t be used on pavements.
Beryl CEO Philip Ellis said:
“We’re thrilled to be introducing the Beryl e-Scooter to Norwich and be part of the additional benefits that flexible, smart and sustainable travel solutions can bring.”
“As people return to their usual day-to-day journeys, we want to encourage them to take that trip in a greener way. We believe, through providing a mix of vehicles and infrastructure, we are able to deliver a first-class service for a wide range of journeys, for Norfolk County Council and its community. Two-thirds of all journeys in the UK are under five miles, and an e-Scooter, e-Bike or bicycle can be a great way to make that trip instead of going by car.”
Councillor Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways and infrastructure said:
“I am delighted to see the first e-scooters arrive on the streets of Norwich, bringing further sustainable transport options to an even wider range of people and supporting our shared aims to reduce pollution and congestion across the city.”
“It’s important to note that while this is a government-backed trial, it is still illegal to use privately owned e-scooters on the highway. Safety will be of paramount importance, which is why we are introducing the scooters gradually, in a controlled manner. We’ve already put a number of measures in place and will be working closely with the police and key local stakeholders to ensure their use is appropriate and does not impact negatively on the wider community.”
The scooters will be free for the first week, while the county recognises Car-Free Week.