Oxford’s trial e-scooter hours extended

E-scooters in Oxford are now available for hire 24 hours a day in a move that will help users, including busy shift workers, to keep moving easily throughout the day and night. Since launching, journeys made using the trial e-scooters are estimated to have replaced around 150,000 equivalent car journeys.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “The e-scooter trial is a part of our commitment to provide sustainable ways to travel in Oxford. We have had clear feedback from our residents that extending the hours the trial e-scooters operate would be of great benefit.

“The extension to operational hours opens up another travel option, acknowledging that many people across the city are making important journeys for work and leisure outside the typical nine to five hours, and they should have an environmentally responsible option to do this.

“I urge all users to follow Voi’s guidelines to use the e-scooters responsibly for their own safety and safety of others on our roads. We will carefully monitor the extension of the operating hours with Voi over the coming weeks to ensure the scheme is performing as we would hope.”

The trial e-scooters can be hired and ridden from dedicated points all around the city, and work in set zones according to traffic permissions within the city (they will shut off if brought into a pedestrianised zone). Trial e-scooters must be parked at a designated Voi e-scooter point to finish the hire session.

Grace Packard, Senior Public Policy Manager at Voi, said: “The key to fundamentally changing our lifestyles and creating better cities for living means developing an inclusive service for those who may need to use transport during non-traditional working hours, especially for people working in the night-time economy.

“Extending our operating times to become a more convenient 24-hour, 7-day week service will encourage many more people to hop on and travel sustainably and safely to get around the city for work or to get home.”

Ends

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 Notes to editors

• Further information regarding the trial can be found on our dedicated webpage located here: http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/escootertrial
• There are guidelines for responsible riding, winter riding tips and details of free safer riding skills training on Voi’s website. When hiring the e-scooters, riders must:
  • be over 18 and hold a provisional or full driving licence
  • follow the Highway Code including not riding on the pavement and not using a mobile device while riding
  • not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • must not ride tandem