UK micromobility provider Beryl is expanding its e-scooter hire scheme on the Isle of Wight, to include Shanklin and Sandown from 13 July.
This expansion will increase the overall fleet of e-scooters across the island with an additional 25 e-scooters, and comes seven months after the scheme launched in November last year.
According to Beryl, since November 32,000 journeys have been taken by 6,000 individual riders in Newport, Ryde and Cowes. The operator added its geo-fenced and lined bays result in 95% of journeys ending in a designated parking space. This ensures the scheme is convenient for both riders and pedestrians.
There are 19 new bay locations in Shanklin and Sandown that can be found in the Beryl app. Bays have been chosen in full consultation with Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads, Hampshire Constabulary, and Solent Transport.
Beryl CEO Philip Ellis, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our e-scooter scheme on the Isle of Wight, offering people in Sandown and Shanklin a sustainable, convenient, and enjoyable form of transport.
‘’Since we launched last year, thousands of people have used the e-scooters. We were proud to also offer NHS workers free rides during the Coronavirus pandemic and discounted rides to those on the Kickstart Scheme.
‘’By using the scheme, residents of and visitors to the Isle of Wight are helping to reduce congestion and pollution on the island, and we can’t wait to see people making use of them over the summer and beyond.’’
Beryl encourages safe and responsible scooting. Riders must be 16 or over and hold a UK-valid provisional or full driving licence to ride.
Phil Jordan, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, added: “It’s great to see how islanders and visitors have embraced e-scooters since they launched last year.
“I hope with the expansion to Sandown and Shanklin, as the roadmap out of Covid-19 goes to the next stage, the summer will be a good time to get out and about and enjoy the area on two wheels in a fun and environmentally friendly way.”
