Beryl e-scooter Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO)

Closes 30 Sep 2024

Opened 14 Sep 2023

Contact

connected@birmingham.gov.uk

Overview

Public e-scooter hire schemes are an emerging transport mode being used in many cities across the globe. In an urban context, e-scooters can make multi-mode journeys easier.

The Beryl e-scooter trial continues to add valuable data to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) objectives of informing future policy and legislation. The evidence obtained is expected to contribute to the decision on the future of e-scooters, and whether they will become a legal part of the national transport system.

The Government has allowed for trials of e-scooter hire schemes and has made changes to the rules on where it is legal to use them. E-scooters may be used on the roads (with speed limits of 30mph or less) and in cycle lanes.

Please note that it remains illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter anywhere other than on private land.

Regional Position

In March 2023, West Midland Combined Authority made the decision to award Beryl the regional e-scooter contract. This contract is intended to run until at least October 2025, to align with the West Midlands Cycle Hire contract period, which is also managed by Beryl.

Prior to this decision, the Voi e-scooter scheme in Birmingham came to an end in February 2023, and hire e-scooters were not in use until Beryl launched their scheme on 2 August 2023.

Beryl’s e-scooter hire scheme is part of a West Midlands trial. Information on Beryl along with an interactive map of where you can find your nearest e-scooter or docking station can be found on their website.

This Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) is to allow trial e-scooters to be parked on the footway in specifically marked parking bays. Building key parking locations will enable greater areas of Birmingham to become incorporated within the hire service area, providing a low-carbon alternative to private cars, whilst protecting walking and cycling journeys.

As a temporary, trial scheme, this has been implemented using ETRO. These Orders allow for parking bays for e-scooters to be put in place on a temporary basis, (for up to 18 months), with the option to make the orders permanent in due course.

For the first six months of the ETRO, you can submit a formal objection (giving the reasons for your objection) to the orders being made permanent in the future.

You can either submit your objection via this webpage (please provide your contact details as part of your response). Alternatively, you can post a written objection to: Assistant Director Transport & Connectivity - Place, Prosperity & Sustainability Directorate, Birmingham City Council, PO Box 14439, Birmingham B2 2JE.

If you have chosen to object to the proposed orders, you may be contacted by a project officer to further discuss your objection.

The full documentation for the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order can be found at the bottom of this page.

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