Launched on Monday 25 January 2021 in partnership with BCP Council, the Department for Transport (DfT) pilot scheme has clocked up 610,739 journeys over 2,141,520km in its two years.

These figures show that the trial has gone from strength to strength, with the 346,393 journeys made during its second year representing a 31% increase on the 264,346 journeys made during the first year.

Released in December, the Department for Transport’s National Evaluation of e-scooter trials findings report also showed Bournemouth to be the second most utilised trial out of the 32 across the country, generating four trips per e-scooter per day.

Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “The numbers show that e-scooters are becoming an increasingly popular way for people to get around Bournemouth and Poole and that the trial is one of the most popular government approved schemes in the country. 

“We know the demand is there and believe that legalising the use of e-scooters would make them more accessible, boost their popularity and normalise their presence on our roads.

“This would amplify calls for better infrastructure, which would not only improve safety, but also the perception of safety, and encourage even more people to leave their car keys at home.”

“Ultimately, that will help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions while improving air quality and public health.”

Cllr Mike Greene. BPC Council’s portfolio holder for sustainability and transport said: “We have been delighted with the success of the e-scooter scheme and thank our partners Beryl for running such a good service. 

“One of our primary goals for the scheme was to help combat congestion and reduce levels of pollution in Bournemouth and Poole.  The popularity of the e-scooters has shown the support there is for alternative, sustainable forms of transport in the area.”

The e-scooters are set to stay for at least another year, following BCP Council’s decision last October to accept the Department for Transport’s (DfT) invitation to extend the scheme until May 2024.

Feedback from users* shows that nearly a third (31.2%) of all e-scooter journeys in the BCP Council region have replaced road transport journeys - including driving a car/van, being a passenger in a car/van, using a taxi or riding a motorbike or moped. 

According to industry calculations and modal shift data, this equates to over 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions saved: the equivalent of around 6 million kettles boiled or almost 527 flights from London to Edinburgh.

Safety has been paramount during the trial’s operation, with Beryl working closely with Dorset Police and Public Health Dorset to ensure the trial remains as safe as possible for customers, pedestrians and all other road users. 

Geofenced ‘Go Slow’ zones, which automatically reduced the speed of their scooters to 3mph or under upon entry, have been introduced in both summers and winters in busy locations such as the Seafront Promenade and Bournemouth Gardens during the Christmas Tree Festival.

In April 2022, Beryl also launched its Scoot happy Tour, offering in-person and online sessions designed to help boost riders’ confidence,  sharpen e-scooter skills, and reinforce the importance of responsible riding. Analysis from Scoot Happy’s first six months of operation in 2022 demonstrate its success in breaking down barriers to regular use. Of all the riders that have taken part in our Tryouts, a one hour session with Beryl staff split into theory and practical lessons, have made an average of 8.7 journeys each since participation. The people that have undertaken the more in-depth Skills Sessions, a two-hour course run by Bikeability instructors, have made an average of 10.3 journeys each since participation.

Beryl also operates a bike and e-bike share scheme in the area which launched in April 2019. Beryl’s e-scooters operate concurrently with its bike and e-bike share scheme, allowing riders to hire and drop off e-scooters, bikes and e-bikes from Beryl bays that were implemented in consultation with BCP Council and other local stakeholders. 

During the trial period, e-Scooter riders are required to provide a valid UK Driving Licence to participate. They are also asked to provide feedback on their experiences using the vehicles to support data learnings on operating the service. 

Beryl e-Scooters can be used on roads, cycle lanes, carriageways and other areas where cycling is permitted but not on pavements. Every Beryl e-Scooter has vehicle approval from the Department for Transport (DfT), ensuring it meets the highest safety standards. Beryl has and will continue to consult with key organisations as the trial progresses. 

To begin a trip with a Beryl e-Scooter, users just need to follow the simple in-app directions that will unlock the vehicle for use. At the end of their ride, users must lock the scooter via the app and will hear a chime from the scooter to register that it is locked. Beryl e-Scooter’s available to hire are visible both on street and in the app, with Beryl Bays and Bournemouth and Poole’s operating zone also shown in app.  

The Beryl e-Scooter will be available to hire through two payment choices of Pay-As-You-Ride (£1.50 unlock fee + 10p per minute) or Minute Bundles (£1.50 unlock fee and bundles priced at 5p per minute; 100 minutes for £5, 200 minutes for £10, 300 minutes for £15). Users that park a hired e-Scooter outside of a Beryl Bay will be charged a £5 convenience fee, while users that lock a Beryl e-Scooter outside of the Bournemouth and Poole operating zone will be charged £10. This fee covers operational costs associated with returning vehicles to a bay for another use to ride.

*Based on 4,367 e-scooter user responses in Bournemouth and Poole since March 2021