Purpose

The national e-scooter trial period has been
extended for a further two years to 31st May 2026. It is
recommended that the Council continues to offer an e-scooter and/or
e-bike hire offer after the current contract with Zipp Mobility
ends on 31st May 2024.

Content

Buckinghamshire Council hosted
three of the national e-scooter trials (Aylesbury, High Wycombe,
Princes Risborough). The Council introduced e-bikes to complement
the trial schemes in Aylesbury and High Wycombe in July 2023. In
the King’s speech on 7th November 2023, it was announced that
the government’s e-scooter trial period would be extended by
a further two years to 31st May 2026. No firm decision had been
made by the Government regarding legalisation of e-scooters beyond
this point, or beyond the geographic extent of the existing trial
areas.
 
The Council’s contract
with Zipp Mobility, which operated the service at zero cost to the
Council (aside from officer time), was currently set to conclude on
31st May 2024, in line with the former end of the
Government’s trial period. Options considered to continue,
reduce the scope of, or cease the e-scooter and/or ebike hire offer
were outlined in the report.
 
RESOLVED that the E-Scooter and E-bike hire schemes continue
until May 2026.