A year-long trial of electric scooters in Canterbury is now being consulted on by Kent County Council.
The scheme aims to bring affordable, environmentally friendly electric scooters to the city as part of a Department for Transport national trial.
There will be four phases, with the first starting in November with e-scooter operator Bird providing a maximum of 100 e-scooters on and around the campuses of The University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.
During this phase, the service will be restricted to staff and students at both universities and to travelling within the University of Kent’s campus and along a predetermined route connecting both campuses only.
KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said: “Whilst it is established how these vehicles are used and how they interact with other highway users, the scooters will be limited to a set route between the two campuses to provide connections to shared services.
“It is our hope that in due course everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of this sustainable travel as part of their commute, offering an alternative to car travel, with an ambition to help reduce congestion and improve air quality in Canterbury.”
The scheme will help inform government as to whether this form of ‘micromobility’ should be allowed on the highway network and, if so, in what way.
During the trial, the e-scooters will use the same road space as bicycles. They will not be permitted to travel on the pavement, or outside of the trial area.