AN e-scooter trial begins today (Thursday, June 18) in several locations across Cornwall, to run alongside the existing Beryl e-bike hire scheme operated in Truro, Penzance, Falmouth and Penryn.

Cornwall Council has introduced an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) to support the rental e-scooter trial, which allows them to be used within defined areas wherever pedal cycles are currently permitted, unless signed otherwise. This includes roads, cycle lanes and shared-use paths, but not pavements.

The council is inviting residents, businesses, visitors and other road users to share their views and experiences of the trial, in a survey that will open on July 2 on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website. The feedback will help the local authority understand how the trial is working in practice and will be considered when deciding whether the arrangements should be made permanent, modified or removed.

The rental e-scooter trial forms part of a programme approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) to better understand how e-scooters can be used as part of the transport network, and to assess whether they can offer an additional travel option for local journeys, including connections to public transport and other destinations.

It will also help the council understand how e-scooters interact with other road users and what impact they may have on travel patterns within the trial areas.

The trial will use the same bays as currently used for e-bikes. Approximately 25 e-scooters will be located in Truro, with 50 provided in Penzance, Falmouth/Penryn and Newquay. The e-scooters cost 22p per minute to use with a £1 unlocking fee (not charged if users buy minute bundles in advance).

The maximum speed of the e-scooters during the trial is 12.5mph. The DfT may review this and increase to 15.5mph in the future. There will be Go Slow Zones aligned with pedestrianised areas in each town, where maximum speeds are 7.5mph; and no-go zones, primarily skate parks.

Before riding, users will be required to sign up for the scheme with their physical driving licence and through facial recognition on the Beryl app. They will receive a two-minute guide to riding the scooters, including how to and where to ride.

Users must not ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs, carry passengers or wear headphones or ear pods while riding.

Throughout the trial, Cornwall Council will monitor a range of information, including journey data, safety records and other transport-related information. This evidence will help assess the effectiveness of the scheme and contribute to national research into the future use of e-scooters.