After lasting almost two years, an e-scooter trial in Canterbury with micromobility provider Bird is officially set to end.
The trial first started in November 2020 and was extended twice before being officially ended.
The scheme was met with some controversy after an elderly woman was hit by a scooter and injured earlier this year. However, this is the only known crash since the trial began, according to data from Kent County Council (KCC).
A KCC spokesperson said: “KCC and our operating partner, Bird, are continuing to collect valuable data through the Canterbury electric scooter trial to share with the Department for Transport.
“In recent months Bird, working to deliver this trial for KCC, has introduced enhanced safety measures including a reduction of the electric scooter speeds from 15mph (24km/h) to 12mph (19km/h).
“Additionally, they increased Birdwatchers to patrol the city for pavement riding and changed their rider policy to introduce an immediate ban for any misdemeanour.
“KCC has decided to gradually reduce the number of vehicles in the trial, as well as the areas in which they operate, ahead of the trial finishing in Kent at the end of November.”
Across the UK, e-scooter trials were due to finish in November 2021, but were extended until November 30 2022 due to the pandemic. However, earlier this year the government offered local authorities the chance to extend the schemes until May 2024.
KCC is not among the councils to have confirmed a trial extension.
