Tag Archive: london

1. Shared e-scooter micromobility trial in London reaches 500,000 journeys

   14/02/2022 14:55 Comments Off on Shared e-scooter micromobility trial in London reaches 500,000 journeys

   Source: Micromobilitybiz

   The e-scooter sharing services have now been used to travel upwards of 1.6 million kilometers

   New data shared by Transport for London (TfL) and three e-scooter operators Dott, Lime, and Tier announced that their ongoing shared micromobility trial in London has surpassed the milestone of half a million trips. Total journeys reached 585,000 in early February, covering a total distance of 1.6 million kilometers since the scheme’s launch just 8 months ago.

   Following sustained success, the trail has seen a six-fold increase in available vehicles, now standing at 3,585 scooters; the number of partaking boroughs has also doubled. As seen in similar schemes, there is much discussion regarding the safety of e-scooters in regard to riders themselves as well as pedestrians. For this reason, TfL is working to develop a universal e-scooter sound in collaboration with UCL – this will allow easier identification of the vehicles, particularly for those with visual impairments.

   Helen Sharp, lead in the TfL e-scooter trail shares:

   “We’re working closely with operators, councils, and people across London to build on the success of the trial so far and we hope that even more people will be able to take advantage of the trial over the coming year. The anonymised data we gather is crucial and we’ll be analysing this closely so that we can learn more about the role e-scooters could play in helping people move around London sustainably.”

   

2. Centre for London report lauds shared e-scooters and advises regulations needed

   11/10/2021 23:52 Comments Off on Centre for London report lauds shared e-scooters and advises regulations needed

   A recent report recommends that the use of private and shared e-scooters be legalised, hand in hand with the introduction of thorough and practical safety measures.

   With shared e-scooters having been in a trial phase in the UK capital for over four months now, Centre for London, a dedicated think tank focused on developing new solutions to London’s critical challenges, has released a report looking at how micromobility vehicles such as e-scooters and e-bikes could help to reduce car use, cut carbon emissions, and improve air quality in the capital. 

   Key findings state that:

   “Two thirds of car trips in London could be made by micromobility vehicles in 20 minutes or less, with most of these trips taking place in outer London where there are fewer public transport options.”

   and

   “Micromobility vehicles emit between 34 and 90 per cent (shared e-scooter vs private bike) fewer carbon emissions than private cars, and do not produce harmful pollutants at the point of use.”

   Some measures put forward included giving powers to Transport for London to manage shared e-scooter schemes within the city, making sure all vehicles meet minimum safety standards, and making it a requirement for shared scheme providers to locate schemes in neighbourhoods with fewer public transport options. The government can also support lower-income and ethnic minority groups in making e-scooters more accessible through tax incentives and loans.

   The report calls specifically on the government to enact these changes, and outlines how improvements are needed, for instance in streamlining the riding and parking experience, and in ensuring more joined-up services across regions. Operators too can raise their game, in areas such as pricing, delivery of training, vehicle safety measures and more.

   Josh Cottell, Research Manager, Centre for London said:

   “Legalising private ownership and riding is the first step towards building a gold standard for micromobility in the UK, with Transport for London – and other equivalent authorities in towns and cities across the country given the powers to arrange shared schemes for micromobility vehicles as they emerge.”

   Read more: https://www.centreforlondon.org/news/legalising-escooters-cut-car-use/

   Download the full report here: https://www.centreforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Micromobility_in_London_Report.pdf

3. UK’s first electric cargo bike sharing scheme launches in Hackney

   20/09/2021 00:48 Comments Off on UK’s first electric cargo bike sharing scheme launches in Hackney

   Residents or visitors in Stoke Newington, London Fields and Shoreditch will this September be able to take advantage of a small fleet of rental electric cargo bikes, in the first scheme of its kind in the UK

   With local councils in the country setting and chasing ambitious emissions targets, and the general public’s growing appetite for greener lifestyle options, it may come as a surprise that no such setup exists already. Under the name Cargo Bike Share, eight electrically assisted ecargo bikes will be available for hire via 4 docking stations. The bikes can carry up to 80kg and will allow people a more environmentally friendly option when it comes to moving heavy loads, such as bulky shopping, personal belongings, equipment and more.

   This much-anticipated arrangement is funded by the Mayor of London and the tri-borough Zero Emissions Network, and is being delivered by urban bike share provider, Beryl, with hire arranged through their app.

   Of the scheme, Cllr Mete Coban MBE, Cabinet Member for Energy, Waste, Transport and Public Realm said: “Our residents and businesses are passionate about doing all they can to help improve air quality – and we’re launching this scheme to provide easy-to-access e-cargo bikes for shopping and carrying goods.

   Cargo Bike Share is a nationwide first, and is one of the many ways we’re working to rebuild a greener Hackney in the aftermath of the pandemic – with cleaner air, healthier lives and better neighbourhoods for all of our residents and businesses.”

   Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, commented: “We know that by taking steps to help residents and businesses lower their emissions, we can create a greener Islington and achieve net zero carbon status by 2030, to help tackle the climate emergency.

   Cargo bikes provide a greener, healthier way for residents and businesses to travel around the borough, helping to reduce congestion on our roads and improving air quality for everyone and the ZEN project is a key part of how we want to encourage their use.

   Through our people-friendly streets programme, we have been able to create safer, greener, healthier streets that are better suited to walking, cycling and using buggies and wheelchairs. We look forward to seeing Islington’s residents and businesses use these environmentally-friendly cargo bikes on the borough’s streets.”

   Beryl chief executive Philip Ellis said: “For last mile deliveries or short journeys, e-cargo bikes are by far the best and often the most time efficient way to move large or heavy items. By replacing vans, a network of e-cargo bikes has the potential to transform local areas making them safer and more pleasant to live and work in, due to the reduction in CO2 emissions, noise pollution and stationary motor vehicles that take up valuable space on our streets.

   We are really excited to be partnering with Hackney Council to launch this UK-first trial, which we believe will have a lasting positive impact on the community, and widen access to e-cargo bikes.

   ‘Beryl has always strived to be a micro-mobility pioneer that offers the broadest options in an affordable and accessible way. We believe this e-cargo bike trial has the potential to show what is possible in many urban areas across the UK, as businesses and residents explore more sustainable transport options.’’

   Source: https://news.hackney.gov.uk/cargo-bike-sharing-to-launch-in-stoke-newington-london-fields-and-shoreditch/