Commuters among top users of e-bike and e-scooters

The majority of people using a city's e-bike and e-scooter scheme have been commuting or running errands, according to the operator.

Transport provider Beryl oversees the shared bike, e-bike and e-scooter service across Norwich and has released user details ahead of its fifth anniversary in the city.

Since March 2020, more than a million journeys had been made on its two-wheeled vehicles, it said.

"It's really good to see the system is providing a genuine benefit for people," said Beryl co-founder and chief executive Phil Ellis.

The scheme was extended six months after its launch in Norwich, which was the first city to offer Beryl's shared bikes, e-bikes and scooters.

Mr Ellis said its success made it a "trailblazer" and the format had been adopted by other cities after councils could see how well it worked.

"Having more people move around on two wheels in a city or walking really is to the benefit of everyone," he said.

However, e-bikes and e-scooters have attracted nationwide complaints about anti-social and dangerous behaviour.

But Mr Ellis said the Norwich scheme was run in partnership with Norfolk County Council (NCC), which ensured it "meets expectations and requirements of all the residents in Norwich, whether they are pedestrians, motorists, visitors or regular users".

He added it had been important to provide a good infrastructure, with riders only able to pick up or return the vehicles to fixed bays in suitable areas with enough space on the pavement.

According to the council, Beryl was also able to track its users and could ban them from using the service if necessary.

Graham Plant, NCC cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said the service had been "hugely positive" in Norwich.

He added that the scheme had been extended from the city centre to the suburbs and it now had 90,000 regulars users and more than 30 riders joining daily.

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