E-scooters in Birmingham: do Brummies love or hate the Voi e-scooter trial?

Love them or loathe them, e-scooters have become part of the tapestry of city life for a while now.

To some they’re an environmentally friendly and efficient way to travel across cities, to others they’re a dangerous blight to our public pathways.

There’s currently a trial ongoing which is due to end in March.

West Midlands Police recorded 12 casualties in 2020, the latest figures from the Department for Transport show.

Across Britain, police forces recorded 484 casualties resulting from 460 e-scooter incidents last year.

Admiral says that reports of such incidents from its customers doubled between 2020 and 2021 and were 10 times the number in 2019.

We ask the people of Birmingham what they think.

Elizabeth says: “My opinion on e-scooters is that the government shouldn’t be allowed to hire them out if people aren’t allowed to use them themselves - their own e-scooters.

“I think they’re a lot more dangerous - because they I’ve seen people weaving in and out and a lot more people - blind people - get hit quite often. A blind dog, I’ve heard that’s been hit. So no, I think it’s dangerous.”

Ian says: “The elderly - they seem to run into the elderly, if you’re not on the ball with them, and if you’re on a mobility scooter you’re invisible.”

Robert says: “With these e-scooters I think they’re a good alternative to like, cars, transport, stuff like that. I think, I quite like bikes as well. I’ve seen them scattered around the town as well.”

Biddy says: “Well, in my opinion, e-scooters, they’re not worth it - walk if you can.

“I just don’t think they work, to be honest with you. I think everybody should try and walk. I know some of them may go a bit longer. But no, I’m not into e-scooters. They’re quite dangerous.

Anna says: “Well, as a driver I’m very disappointed with them, because I see people ride them during the dark times, without any high visible clothes. Also as a driver, after, like, five o’clock, you cannot see them at all.”

Angela says: “They can be dangerous because I walk my dog and sometimes you walk in and they come past you,  and if you’re out to one side they could knock you over “

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