The Cheshire West and Chester County Council e-scooter trial has been extended until 30 November 2022, with e-scooter riders in Chester having travelled 180,000 miles.

The Council, in partnership with e-scooter provider Ginger, launched a 12-month trial in December 2021, as part of a Department for Transport (DfT) initiative to encourage greener travel methods.

The Council has a target to be carbon neutral by 2030. Ginger work in partnership with a local business, Dandy’s Nationwide Landscape Supplies Ltd, using the latest solar panels and Tesla battery charging facilities to power and recharge the Ginger e-scooter fleet.  This means that every scoot across the city on a Ginger rental e-scooter is now 100 per cent powered by the sun.

A total of 101,000 journeys have been taken since the start of the trial and 90 per cent of all journeys are from a different start and end point (as opposed to circular journeys), indicating a utility journey.

Ginger's research shows that nearly 44 per cent of e-scooter riders are leaving their cars behind for the daily commute. Since starting, its estimated that over 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been prevented from entering the atmosphere as e-scooter riders have helped replace around 44,440 short car journeys across the city.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said:

“E-scooters have become a familiar sight on the streets of Chester and thousands of people really seem to enjoy using them and the freedom they provide, in offering a healthier, more environmentally friendly alternative to using the car for shorter journeys to work or leisure and help tackle air pollution.

“Extending the trial will enable more accurate data to be obtained for this alternative method of getting around the city, as much of the previous data was gathered during lockdown restrictions. 

“As part of agreeing to the extension of the trial, we have sought additional safety measures, including easier reporting of illegal riding and enhanced mandatory training, so I would also like to take this opportunity to remind users to remain safe whilst out and about and to be considerate to others.”