LIME E-SCOOTER TRIAL IN SALFORD IS TO BE EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER AFTER POSITIVE REPORT

Lime E-Scooter trial extended until November 2022 as data reveals over 180,000 trips have been made, covering a staggering 325,000km in total across Salford.

Despite the initial concerns of some councillors, a recent report has identified a small number of cases in which there has been vandalism and anti-social behaviour and unbelievably just one minor incident in which a rider was knocked off a scooter in traffic at the junction of New Bailey Street and Chapel Street.

Speaking at the Property and Regeneration Briefing, Cllr Bill Hinds said:

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“I am pleased to see there are very few incidents of vandalism despite my concerns. It is beyond me how this is the case when you see how they fly past you on the roads.”

The trial in Salford was initially proposed to take place in three phases, with phase one being concentrated wholly on University of Salford campus, phase two extending to Media City with use on public highways and phase three extending the area of operation from the University of Salford, Salford Quays to the border with Manchester City Centre and all areas in between.

The Department for Transport expects that legislation for the use of e-scooters will be in place by the time this new extension ends. 

A council report on the e-scooters said:

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“We are working with Lime Peel, to increase parking locations in and around Salford Quays to try and encourage more trips to Salford Quays. Once the Trafford Road cycleway works are complete this will also allow further trips to be made to Salford Quays.

“Lime have agreed with Salford Royal Hospital to operate the e-scooters within the campus.

“We have had only a handful of complaints from members of the public. 

“These seem to stem from April/May 2021 onwards, and reflect the extended operational areas, the increase in the number of e-scooters being made available along with the reduction in stay at home requirements. 

“Lime has responded to complaints and reduced the number of e-scooters in certain areas at certain times of the day to reduce issues with members of the public.”