E-scooters arrive in Plymouth!

Plymouth has launched its public e-scooter hire scheme, offering residents and visitors a new way to travel around the city.

As part of the UK Government’s National E-Scooter Trial, the scheme builds on the success of Plymouth’s Beryl bike network and supports the city’s wider ambitions for cleaner, more sustainable transport

Plymouth joins Brighton & Hove, Leeds and Cornwall as part of Beryl’s growing network of e-scooter schemes. Fifty e-scooters are now available, with 150 being introduced during August. You can find the e-scooters at the Plymouth, Devonport and St Budeaux rail stations, Plymouth coach station, Torpoint Ferry, Barbican landing stage and Admirals Hard.

The scheme is integrated into the city’s existing Beryl bike network which launched in 2023 and has over 35,000 users. Since its launch, more than 298,000 journeys have been recorded, covering over 685,000 kilometres – almost enough to travel to the moon and back! Research indicates that more than 74,000 car trips have been replaced, reducing emissions and easing pressure on our road network. By providing an alternative to short car journeys, the scheme could help reduce transport emissions, which account for 39% of Plymouth’s carbon footprint, while giving residents and visitors more flexible travel choices.

While private scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, the scooters are fitted with GPS technology to enforce no-go and reduced-speed zones and include insurance as part of their hire. To hire one, riders will need to be aged 18 or over and hold a valid full, provisional or recognised international driving licence.

E-scooters can be hired through the Beryl app. Riders must complete a mandatory tutorial before their first trip, covering guidance on safe use and parking. Though not legally required, helmet use is strongly encouraged and there will be in-app education modules designed to promote responsible riding behaviour.

Alongside the launch, partners including Vision Zero South West and Devon & Cornwall Place are rolling out the ‘Know the Difference’ campaign to help residents understand the difference between legal hire e-scooters and privately owned e-scooters. The campaign encourages people to ride responsibly and safely, while raising awareness that Beryl e-scooters are legal to use as part of the Government’s approved trial, where privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to ride on public roads, cycle lanes, pavements and other public spaces.

The e-scooters, which travel at a maximum speed of 15.5mph, can be ridden on roads and cycle lanes but not on pavements. There will be a 3mph ‘go slow’ area in the city centre, on and around Armada Way, to ensure the space can be enjoyed safely by everyone. The e-scooters will automatically slow down to this speed in this area.

Plymouth is now one of more than 50 towns and cities participating in the Government’s regulated e-scooter trials. Plymouth’s trial forms part of our Connect Plymouth sustainable transport initiative, which integrates e-bikes and e-scooters (‘micromobility’), electric vehicle charging bays and an electric car club with existing public transport including buses, ferries and trains. The trial will be closely monitored to assess its impact on travel behaviour, safety and sustainability outcomes.

Further information about the Beryl e-scooter trial, including safety guidance and hire details, is available on the Beryl website.