Tag Archive: eScooter

  1. Scotland explores the possibility of e-scooter trials

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    Source: Zag Daily

    Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, has said that e-scooters will “inevitably” be legalised in the country. Currently, all e-scooters are prohibited from use on Scottish roads and pavements.

    In an interview with The Scotsman, Ms. Hyslop suggested the potential for Scotland to join e-scooter trials, following the UK Department for Transport’s extension of such trials for the fourth time south of the Scottish border.

    “When the UK Government announced that trials were to take place, a deadline was set for local authorities to register their interest in participating,” a Transport Scotland spokesperson expressed. “This deadline was set without consultation or advance notice being given to the Scottish Government, and therefore did not provide enough time for the relevant Scottish legislative changes to be made in the context of resources being deployed to respond to the pandemic.

    As a result, it was not possible for any trials to take place in Scotland, however we will continue to engage with the Department for Transport on developments in this area.”

    Transport Scotland outlined the required legislative changes, including amendments to devolved Primary Legislation, Secondary Legislation, and Traffic Regulation Orders.

    Welcoming e-scooters

    National shared transport charity CoMoUK is enthusiastic about extending e-scooter trials into Scotland, highlighting their potential contribution to climate change targets.

    “An e-scooter trial would give Scots a brand new and legal way of trying out this great new form of transport, which could make a significant contribution to helping Scotland and the UK overall meet their climate change targets,” CoMoUK Chief Executive Richard Dilks states. “This is especially relevant given that Scotland has recently given up trying to meet its shorter-term climate targets.“

    CoMoUK advocates for regulated rental e-scooter schemes due to their regulations, including top speeds, hours of operation, where they can be ridden, technical specifications, and rigorous safety standards. According to the charity, 1 serious safety incident only occurs in every 500,000 trips.

    This has been contrasted with unregulated and illegal personal e-scooter usage, stating that it’s “sadly being allowed to shape public perceptions about this mode of transport.”

    Ms. Hyslop emphasized the importance of e-scooter safety considerations before permitting rental trials, echoing the sentiment shared by CoMoUK.

    Richard Dilks of CoMoUK added, “If there is to be a trial of rental e-scooters in Scotland, there should be an open dialogue between the UK and Scottish Governments so any lessons learned south of the border can be shared.“

  2. E-scooter trial may support Sydney T3 line replacement plan

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    Source: The Guardian

    Transport minister ‘not going to sugarcoat’ disruption to 60,000 people to last until 2025

    During the closure of one of Sydney’s major train lines, thousands of commuters in the area face the prospect of more than doubling their daily journey times, even if the government succeeds in recruiting 160 replacement bus drivers within the next two months.

    As the T3 line undergoes a 12 to 14-month shutdown for conversion into a driverless metro line, Transport for New South Wales has unveiled its plan to accommodate up to 60,000 daily commuters affected by the closure, trialling e-scooters as an alternative mode of transportation.

    The transport minister, Jo Haylen, acknowledged the shutdown would be an “inconvenient and difficult period for commuters in this part of Sydney. We’re not going to sugarcoat this – communities along the T3 lines are going to have a tough time, but there will be services available for them”.

    The Inner West Council is deliberating on approving the government’s request to host Sydney’s second e-scooter trial during the T3 shutdown. However, concerns were raised regarding resident safety, with the initial 10 linked stations proposed by TfNSW suggested to be cut to just 3 by council staff.

    The current trains on the T3 line accommodate over 1,000 commuters during peak hours. While the metro line’s completion in 2025 promises trains running every four minutes during peak times, interim measures include “high-frequency” replacement bus services with three dedicated routes through Sydney’s inner west and southwest.

    According to TfNSW’s latest projections, the replacement bus service between Sydenham and Bankstown is expected to take 58 minutes during evening peak hours, compared to the 24 minutes by train.

    Despite the effort to recruit additional bus drivers, there remains a chronic shortage of drivers across Sydney. Transit Systems, the private bus operator hired for the replacement services, Transit Systems, has made progress in recruitment but faces challenges due to the existing shortage.

    While Transport Minister Haylen expresses confidence in meeting the driver shortfall, concerns persist within the Rail, Tram and Bus Union regarding the feasibility of finding enough drivers. The opposition transport spokesperson, Natalie Ward, criticizes the government’s planning for the conversion project, citing increased driver vacancies and delays in implementation.

  3. UK government publishes new guidance to enhance e-bike and e-scooter safety

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    Source: GOV.UK

    Guidance includes information on how to safely buy, store and charge e-cycles and e-scooters.

    Information around how to safely purchase, charge and use e-bikes and e-scooters has been published by the UK government to improve consumer safety.

    After thorough consultation with the industry, guidance on battery safety has been developed for both e-scooters and e-bikes, which aims to enhance awareness among owners regarding the safe purchase of e-cycles or e-scooters, ensuring compliance with manufacturing requirements, and promoting transactions with reputable sellers. The documents cover information on secure storage and charging, the warning signs for fire risk and how to address them, and responsible battery disposal. The guidance also emphasises that legal use of e-scooters on roads is restricted unless they are part of an official rental trial.

    Separate guidance has been issued to assist public transport operators in evaluating and managing fire risks associated with the transportation of e-bikes and e-scooters on trains and buses. Similar information has been produced for those managing premises such as schools and workplaces.

    Minister Anthony Browne, responsible for Technology and Decarbonisation, affirmed that “Safety has always been our top priority, which is why our latest guidance aims to improve the awareness of e-bike and e-scooter users in the trial areas where they’re authorised.”

    This announcement follows the Home Office’s advice on fire safety for e-scooters and e-bikes published last year. To further understand the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in e-cycles and e-scooters, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is presently conducting a safety study and taking enforcement measures when unsafe products are found.

    The extension of e-scooter trials until May 2026 will facilitate further insights across various areas, including usage, safety and environmental impacts, and the exploration of travel behaviour changes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  4. Leading e-mobility brand LAVOIE acquires VanMoof to accelerate its global growth and redefine premium urban transport

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    LAVOIE, the premium e-mobility company backed by global technology company McLaren Applied, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the VanMoof premium e-bike business.

    Under the terms of the agreement, the acquisition will see LAVOIE and McLaren Applied inject stability into the VanMoof operations, then combining and integrating their premium capabilities to create a next-generation e-mobility business and establish a world-leading premium e-mobility offering.

    The move forms part of LAVOIE’s global growth strategy to redefine premium e-mobility and transform movement around busy urban areas, as part of an enjoyable and more active lifestyle.

    The expansion will include e-bikes in parallel with LAVOIE’s existing premium e-scooter operation with an exciting synergy allowing the business to redefine the growing e-mobility sector by approaching urban mobility via the world of serious automotive engineering. This acquisition will allow this expanded company to tap into the leadership of independent technology pioneers McLaren Applied.

    Nick Fry, McLaren Applied Chairman: “The acquisition of VanMoof underscores our commitment to strengthen and grow our world-leading e-mobility business. We see a huge potential to transform the way people travel around the congested cities of the world in a more active and enjoyable way.”

    “This exciting deal helps us to accelerate global growth, allowing us to increase the scale and quality of products and services we can offer to our customers. We are fully committed to being leaders in manufacturing premium e-mobility products that are redefining the category with each ride.”

    Eliott Wertheimer, LAVOIE CEO: “With its next generation of e-bikes, smart technology, innovative design, and loyal customer base, VanMoof and LAVOIE fit together perfectly. VanMoof has 190,000 customers globally and our commitment is to continue to keep those riders on the road whilst we stabilise and efficiently grow the VanMoof business and continue to develop its world-class products.”

    The LAVOIE team is driven by a desire to redefine the future of personal urban mobility and provide viable solutions to the challenge of urban commuting in congested cities. LAVOIE believes that e-scooters and e-bikes offer a sustainable and efficient form of transportation.

    LAVOIE is McLaren Applied’s premium e-mobility company. LAVOIE is a subsidiary of technology pioneers McLaren Applied, not McLaren Group. Although McLaren Applied was part of the Group for 20 years, it is now under different ownership and is an independent entity from McLaren Group, McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing.

    ABOUT LAVOIE

    McLaren Applied’ s LAVOIE is totally committed to improving personal mobility. Using its heritage in premium automotive, combined with strong pedigrees in engineering and science, LAVOIE re- imagines products you can trust will improve personal transportation and add enjoyment to every journey. Operating at the intersection between high-end design and superlative performance, LAVOIE is set to redefine urban mobility and become a major global player in the premium e-mobility market. www.lavoielectric.com

  5. My-eScooter launches battery regeneration service for sustainable mobility in Belgium

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    My-eScooter, the Nivelles-based company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of innovative electric scooters, announces the launch of its brand-new battery regeneration service in Belgium.

    This technological advance marks an important step in the field of sustainable mobility. It demonstrates My-eScooter’s commitment to promoting an efficient transition towards even more environmentally friendly transport solutions.

    Battery life and performance

    My-eScooter is not in the business of shared scooters, but in that of electric mobility serving individuals wishing to buy a scooter for regular use, and businesses.

    “We are aware of the challenges and criticisms faced by electric bikes and scooters. Particularly when it comes to battery life and performance. In addition to the limited number of charge cycles of a battery, we find that the majority of users do not charge their scooter during the winter. As a result, the battery is completely discharged, or even damaged when we want to use it again,” explains Sanjeev D’Souza*, founder of the My-eScooter brand.

    Regenerate up to 80% of initial capacity

    Since its launch in 2017, My-eScooter has always innovated based on the reality on the ground for Belgian users. The replaceable batteries on some of its models are proof of this. My-eScooter is determined to maximize their use while minimizing their environmental impact. The battery regeneration service allows used batteries to be restored by recovering up to 80% of their initial capacity. Bye bye new battery, hello extended lifespan!

    The advantages of battery regeneration:

    • Decreased demand for raw materials
    • Reduced costs associated with battery replacement
    • Contribution to the reduction of electronic waste
    • Recovery of up to 80% of initial capacity
    • 30 to 40% more economical than buying a new battery
    • The battery of your scooter does not leave Europe

    My-eScooter after-sales service is carried out in Belgium. My-eScooter’s battery regeneration service uses cutting-edge technologies to evaluate, restore and test batteries. The service is carried out in Europe to guarantee optimal performance and reduce CO2 emissions.

    Longer-lasting batteries, a cleaner future

    By launching this new battery regeneration service, My-eScooter reaffirms its commitment to sustainable mobility. Companies, their employees, and private users can now benefit from an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to extend the life of their electric scooters.

    “Our new battery regeneration service represents a major step forward for our brand and reinforces our initial commitment. We are ready to offer this service for other brands and other types of solutions linked to sustainable mobility such as electric bicycles or forklifts for example,” says Sanjeev D’Souza, founder of the My-eScooter brand.

  6. Brussels suburbs refuse entry to shared e-scooter services

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    Source: TheMayor.eu

    The suburbs surrounding the Belgian capital have recently made the decision to abolish access for e-scooters – in contrast to Paris’s policies, where they have been banned from the city centre’s streets.

    In April, Paris residents voted to ban the e-scooter sharing services within the city, sparking discussions about the potential emergence of this action in other major European cities. Interestingly, in neighbouring Belgium, it’s not the capital region but the tranquil suburbs adjacent to Brussels that are embracing this idea.

    These new changes mean that attempting to complete a journey on an e-scooter across the municipal limits to neighbouring suburbs just isn’t possible.

    E-scooter companies have since urged Flemish local authorities to allow shared micro-mobility services, however these efforts have been met with strong opposition. E-scooter operators like Bolt and Tier are keen to expand into the Flemish satellite municipalities surrounding Brussels due to their proximity to the city centre, unlike the municipalities situated to the south of Brussels, which are more distant from the centre.

    Given that shared e-scooter schemes would improve the mobility integration with downtown Brussels, where many residents work and spend leisure time, this begs the question of why the governments of the municipalities in question refuse to allow this.

    According to The Brussels Times, the smaller local governments are unimpressed by the numerous complaints about reckless speeding and chaotic parking that often accompany the use of shared micro-mobility services.

    Ingrid Holemans, the mayor of Zaventem, a town whose territory includes the international airport of the Belgian capital, simply stated, “We don’t want them.”

    The VIAS road safety institute reveals that accidents involving electric scooters in Belgium have quadrupled over the past two years. Such statistics raise concerns among local officials, who have concluded that e-scooters could disrupt the peaceful nature of suburban life.

    Even in Brussels proper, the future appears bleak for electric two-wheelers. Starting from 2024, only two operators will be allowed to operate within the Belgian capital, each with a cap of 4,000 scooters. Whether this restriction will influence the municipalities to open their doors to these services remains uncertain.

  7. Krakow proposes measures to tackle e-scooter parking problems

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    Source: Eltis

    Similar to many European cities, Krakow in Poland has experienced rapid growth in the use of e-scooters, the majority of which have been provided by shared mobility operators. However, like many cities, it has encountered the growing problem of e-scooters that have been parked improperly or abandoned throughout the city, causing obstructions and becoming a a source of frustration for the city’s residents. As a result, the city’s authorities have put forward new measures to regulate the parking of e-scooters.

    In May, the city’s authorities communicated with three commercial e-scooter operators about the forthcoming changes. Deputy Mayor of Krakow, Andrzej Kulig, stated, “We informed the representatives of three companies about the end of the period of free use of the city space. We also proposed the introduction of a municipal patrol, which would be financed by operators from fines for improperly parked scooters, as well as fees for using areas belonging to the municipality.” Kulig further explained, “The current state of Krakow is unsustainable…Despite existing arrangements with equipment operators, the problem of abandoned devices has been steadily growing, mainly due to the lack of legal regulations.”

    In 2020, Krakow Public Transport Authority and e-scooter operators entered an agreement, encompassing measures including enforcing a speed limit for e-scooters in the city centre and designating a no-parking zone including the Old Town and sections of the Vistula Boulevards. Outside of these areas, e-scooters were directed to be parked at specified locations known as ‘mobility hubs’. These hubs, established and designed by the City without charge for operators, were designated areas for proper parking. Operators were made responsible for the removal of improperly parked e-scooters. The city has now informed operators that they will need to start paying for the use of the mobility hubs under a lease contract. Additionally, the operators will be fined for e-scooters that require removal.

    In the meantime, the commercial operators have agreed between themselves to cap the maximum number of e-scooters at mobility hubs in central areas. In practice, users will be unable to return e-scooters once the hub’s maximum capacity is reached, meaning they will have to find an alternative hub. The operators have also urged the city to establish additional mobility points, potentially introducing a new type that permits users to start and end rentals, but unlike the current mobility points, there would be no active e-scooter deployment by operators. Moreover, the maximum number of e-scooters permitted at these points would be significantly lower.

    Krakow city authorities are optimistic that these new measures will alleviate the nuisance caused by improperly parked e-scooters. If not, they will explore additional actions, which could potentially include restricting e-scooter numbers by regulation or even terminating contracts with the operators.

  8. McKinsey Mobility Consumer Pulse Survey charts rise in shared urban mobility

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    Source: McKinsey & Company

    Understanding consumer needs is the key to long-term success for those operating in the shared mobility sector

    Shared mobility can resolve many challenges of the urban mobility ecosystem and is an exciting opportunity for companies in the three main shared mobility sectors – hailed mobility, shared micromobility (to include e-kickscooters, traditional or e-bicycles, and traditional or electric mopeds), and car sharing . Shared mobility is on the rise, with an estimated current market value of $10 billion to $15 billion, compared to market values of $110 billion to $130 billion for hailed mobility and $4 billion to $5 billion for car sharing. Understanding the consumers’ preferences will only further increase the market revenues.

    Consumer Survey

    The McKinsey Mobility Consumer Pulse Survey asked worldwide mobility users’ views on the future of mobility, with a focus on shared mobility. A move away from a car-centric means of transportation was a repeated wish among all demographics, with shared and more sustainable mobility and a reduction in private vehicle usage high on the agenda.

    Over a quarter of urban dwellers who responded to the survey mentioned replacing their private vehicles with other transport means in the future, although fewer than 15% of rural respondents suggested the same. The survey concluded that sustainability, travel efficiency, and improved inner-city livelihoods were central to perspective change in mobility choice, more than incurred costs.

    Mobility modes with the largest influence

    McKinsey suggests that three main transport modes will alter the current trend; shared autonomous shuttles; micromobility solutions, such as e-kickscooters, (e)mopeds, and (e)bicycles; and minimobility alternatives. Minimobility references L6 and L7 electric vehicles with three or four wheels, an unladen mass of over 100 kg, and capacity for one to two passengers.

    The mobility survey also found that over 60% would consider a shared, autonomous shuttle service in the future, while 42% suggested that it could replace their private car trips. This could dramatically reduce the number of vehicles on the road, aiding in pollution directives, parking, and road safety. City center–airport connections (26%), supermarket runs (26%), and commutes (24%) were the most common responses from respondents regarding shuttle services.

    Micromobility endeavours are seen as convenient and a genuinely sustainable alternative. The McKinsey survey reported that a third of respondents aimed to use micromobility more often. 37 percent of urban respondents mentioned that an improved micromobility infrastructure would help them make their first step, with 33% agreeing it could replace up to 50% of their car trips. In addition, 60% of respondents showed an interest in owning their own kickscooter, only requiring the need for shared mobility on occasion in the future.

    Minimobility also generated considerable interest in the survey. 27% of the urban respondents suggested the introduction of microcars to their collection within the next 10 years, 50% of whom could see one replacing their private cars in the long term. The usage for microcars bore similarities to micromobility results; grocery shopping (48%), leisure activities (47%), and commuting (35%). Although 20% of those surveyed would consider sharing a minimobility vehicle, most had a preference for acquiring their own.

    Public transport will continue to play a key role in urban mobility, although three reoccurring themes need addressing; people want integrated user experiences, safe and accessible infrastructure, and continued electrification. Understanding these dynamics is key to future success.

  9. Europe’s shared e-scooter schemes’ fleets increased more than twofold in 2023

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    Source: ZAG Daily

    The number of shared e-scooters available in Europe has more than doubled from 285,000 in 2021 to 700,560 in 2022, according to statistics released by Micro-Mobility for Europe (MMfE).

    MMfE gathered the data from its eight shared micromobility members – Bird, Bolt, Dott, Hopp, Lime, Superpedestrian, Tier and Voi.

    Additionally, the association added numbers for e-bike fleets, which totalled 79,917 vehicles for 2022.

    Co-Chair of Micromobility for Europe, Pauline Aymonier, told Zag Daily the surge in vehicle availability clearly demonstrates how the demand for micromobility continues to grow throughout the EU, saying, “It highlights the industry’s positive impact on diversifying the urban mobility mix and offering alternatives to private car ownership.”

    Increasing demand

    MMfE’s report showed that the number of e-scooter trips has multiplied 17 times on the continent, from 14 million in 2021 to over 240 million in 2022. The total number of e-bike trips in 2022 stood at more than 28 million. 

    The distance covered by e-scooter trips also grew by almost 16 times, from 29 million to over 460 million kilometres over the same period, while the distance covered for e-bike trips was more than 74 million kilometres.

    MMfE’s incident report found that the rate of injuries on shared e-scooters fell by 19% in 2022, with Aymonier saying, “It is also important to note that despite the uptake of shared micromobility services in 2022, the rate of injuries with e-scooters and e-bikes has decreased compared to 2021, as revealed in our latest incident data report.”

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