ELECTRIC scooters are being allowed on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path for the first time under the region’s hire scheme.
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin announced the change, which sees the path opened to the e-bike and e-scooter service operated by Dott, in December.
The path, which links Staple Hill, Mangotsfield and Emersons Green to the city centre, is being opened up to scooters from Lyde Green and Bitton, through the junction at the former Mangotsfield railway station all the way to its western end in St Philip’s.
It is also expanding into South Bath, following expansions into the Winterbourne and Yate area during the summer.
Previously scooters on the hire scheme had been barred from using the path, which is used by cyclists and pedestrians.
But the West of England Combined Authority, which has been running the scheme on a trial basis since 2020, says a safety campaign called Scoot Safe has improved rider behaviour – as well as cutting the rate of bad parking, after 11,000 fines of £10 to £15 were levied for bad parking in the space of two and a half months.
WECA says the move will provide “a convenient alternative to the main roads” for scooter renters and says it has worked with South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly known as Sustrans, to ensure that hired e-bikes and e-scooters can “integrate seamlessly into this section of the network”.
Complaints about dangerous riding on the path have centred mainly on privately-owned scooters, which are illegal to ride on public roads and paths, and illegally-modified bikes that go above the legal speed limit of 15.5mph, have a battery of more than 250w or can operate with a throttle instead of the pedals.
Over the summer police seized several illegal bikes and scooters during a crackdown targeting crime and antisocial behaviour on the path between Mangotsfield and Fishponds.
Voi scooters are limited to the legal maximum.
Ms Godwin said: “As I have said before, convenient travel for some should not inconvenience others, particularly where people share space.
“That’s why our combined authority is working with councils to roll out more marked parking areas to keep things tidy and, through our Scoot Safe campaign, raise awareness of the need for responsible riding and parking to keep riders – and others – safe.
“With enforcement from operator Dott, the introduction of fines for poor parking has improved parking standards significantly.
“Coupled with easier ways for people to report issues and bans for users who engage in two-up riding, we’re working to strike a better balance for everyone.”
Dott has also introduced 24-hour rentals.
The firm’s head of public policy Iqbal Ahmed said: “By increasing coverage in South Bath and opening up more routes in Bristol, we continue our commitment to support local mobility needs but always with respect for the safety and needs of both riders and non-riders alike.”
The West of England e-scooter trial has more than 1,500 e-bikes and 2,500 e-scooters, with around 10,000 rides made every day across the region.