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Survey data released by Spin has shown how riders across Essex have shifted their travel behaviour since the introduction of the shared e-scooter hire scheme.
82% of Spin users have opted for a ride with an e-scooter instead of driving alone at least once since the scheme has launched and, had the hire scheme not been available in Essex, 31% of the respondents would have used a car for their most recent journey instead of a scooter.
Survey data has also shown that e-scooters form an ‘essential’ part of multimodal journeys where people reach their destinations by using more than one means of transport. During a typical week, half of the riders take two to ten e-scooter journeys in Spin’s service areas.
Riders also see the e-scooter scheme as a good alternative to public transport, especially during the pandemic. 86% of riders said they consider the e-scooter hire scheme as a safer option than public transport in terms of COVID-19 health concerns.
Steve Pyer, UK country manager at Spin, said: “It’s exciting to see the shift in rider behaviour in Essex to a more sustainable transport mode, similar to what we have found among our customer base in Milton Keynes.
“Whether riders are looking for greener modes of transport or not, the demand for e-scooters is there, and the more people that use them, the more we can positively impact the environment and health of the community.
“We anticipate these trends to continue upwards especially with COVID-19 restrictions being lifted across the UK and more people once again travelling to work, popping to the high street to shop or socialise.”
Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways maintenance and sustainable transport, added: “Essex County Council has an oversight role for this trial, which will feed into our evaluation once this initial trial period is over.
“However, these figures released from Spin are encouraging, suggesting e-scooter travel in the trial areas is replacing car journeys, supporting our overall ambition to make Essex safer, greener and healthier.
“This e-scooter trial is just one initiative of our campaign to promote active travel – a consultation launched last week gives all residents of Essex an opportunity to comment on our latest proposals to encourage cycling and walking in the county.”
Spin has nearly 150,000 rides across Essex where it currently operates more than 500 e-scooters in Basildon, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester (shared hire scheme) and in Brentwood and Braintree (long-term hire).
