Driving an e-scooter on the sidewalk or parking an e-scooter in the wrong place could now result in users being pocked.
Zwings, the company that operates the electric scooter rental system in Newcastle, has introduced a series of fines for bad behavior – to encourage “responsible scooter riding”.
The program, which allows drivers to rent e-scooters for short trips through the city center, Silverdale and Keele University, was launched last September as a 12-month trial in partnership with Staffordshire County Council.
Most Read: Swingers rate dogging sites in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire
However, there is growing concern in North Staffordshire and across the country that people abuse e-scooters and potentially endanger themselves and others.
Last month, two men were fined and banned from driving after being caught driving Zwings e-scooters in Newcastle at night and exceeding the alcohol limit.
Zwings has now updated its terms and conditions with new fines to prevent bad behavior such as driving on the sidewalk, which it deems “very dangerous”.
However, the company insists that it did not do so in response to certain problems in Newcastle, where drivers’ driving behavior has generally been “very positive”.
Zwings has sent all registered users in Newcastle an email detailing the fines that users are now facing for various violations. Users could also receive formal warnings or, in the most serious cases, a ban on the service.
Zwings electric scooter in Newcastle city center
However, these general terms and conditions only apply to Zwings users and not to drivers who misbehave in Newcastle on their own e-scooters.
The e-mail from Zwings states: “Your safety is our top priority, which is why we have decided to update our current driving policy to promote responsible scooter driving and parking.
“Please ensure you read the updated terms and conditions. Please note that any revenue from fines will be reinvested in your local community to support driver education and road safety initiatives.”
Here is a list of the fines Zwings users might face right now:
- Parking outside a designated bay – £ 15 fine.
- Leaving an e-scooter outside of the operating area – £ 15 parking fee plus £ 10 rescue fee.
- Failure to complete a trip and then notify Zwings by phone, email or ticket that the vehicle will remain unlocked – a £ 10 fine.
- Road trips and double trips (two people on one scooter) – £ 40 fine and a formal warning, subject to escalation. Zwings could also impose an immediate ban on the most serious offenses.
- E-scooter vandalism – the user will be charged for repair costs with an additional fine of up to £ 75.
Zwings also says a number of serious offenses result in a “formal report” to the police and possibly the driver’s account being blocked. These offenses include causing accidents, vandalism, drunk riding or allowing minors to ride unlicensed.
More top stories
Morrisons under fire for responding to a collapsed man – after 15-year-old girl calls 999
“I’m so proud” – quick-thinking daughters sound the alarm after mom’s epileptic seizure
We tried to do a weekly shop at Aldi for only £ 10 – so we got by
Covid deniers and shop workers in a slanging match over face mask
Swingers rate dogging sites from Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire
Joe Lewin, CEO of Zwings, said: “The safety of pedestrians, drivers and other road users is a top priority for Zwings. We are committed to making Newcastle short city drive mobility safer and more sustainable as part of our community first email. Scooter Test in Staffordshire, through a community-wide community positive engagement program.
“Part of that process is ensuring that pedestrians and other road users are not affected by the presence of e-scooters. We are in constant close contact with members of the community and representatives of vulnerable groups and have their feedback on the importance of minimizing abuse and irresponsible driving.
Video is loading
Video not available
Click to play
Touch to play
The video will soon start playing automatically8thCancel
Play Now
“Subsequently, as with other e-scooter trials across the UK, Zwings is now introducing a fine system to penalize account holders for abuse, including driving on the lane, driving twice (two people on one scooter), improperly parking and unlocking the scooter on their behalf of an illegible user. Any revenue that has been made from fines since then is reinvested in driver training. “
Mr Lewin said the company has also implemented a “Fleet Marshalling” program at all of its locations, including Newcastle. The Marshalls are responsible for “continuously training the community on safe and responsible driving” and for monitoring scooter abuse.
The County Council launched the “micromobility trial” in Newcastle, along with a similar program in Stafford, as part of a government-sponsored program to reduce congestion and emissions from short car journeys.
Around 150 scooters can be rented in the two cities, with Ginger, another e-scooter company, conducting the test in Stafford.
David Williams, Cabinet Member for the County Council for Highways and Transport, said, “The electric scooter tests at Newcastle and Stafford have been successfully implemented and monitored as part of a larger, Department of Transport-funded pilot project to test, promote and improve various sustainable transport methods Air quality.
Not signed up for the newsletter? Try outside
Register now to get it here for free
“We cannot emphasize enough the need to follow the safety and legal instructions for using the test e-scooters and we want to remind people again to follow the rules set by the providers.
“They must be used like any other motorized vehicle and must not be driven on sidewalks. Anyone who improperly uses private electric scooters inside or outside the test area or e-scooters must expect fines and points on their driver’s license. The scooter providers are also canceling their membership.
“These are local trials and when completed, the District Council and our trial partners will report back to the Department of Transportation all information, including any challenges we have faced.”
