E-SCOOTERS could come to Truro, with city councillors debating the pros and cons of the electric vehicles following a proposal by e-bike company Beryl. Subject to Department for Transport approval, the city could see a minimum of 25 e-scooters provided alongside 25 e-bikes.

The Beryl e-bike scheme is funded by the Cornwall Council and Department for Transport. David Rodda, town clerk for Truro City Coucil, said the e-scooters would not be allowed on pavements, and would come with speed limiters and an obligatory sobriety test for evening rental.

He anticipated an introduction of the vehicles before the start of the summer season, but added: “The general feeling was that councillors would like to find out more before taking a view, and we are waiting for the company to come back with a date for this.”

E-scooters have proved popular and controversial in equal measure. While supporters claim they could reduce car journeys and CO2 emissions, their detractors express concerns about misuse and public safety.

The mood among city councillors who spoke to Truro Voice was largely positive with a note of caution. Cllr Steven Webb (LibDem, Moresk & Trehaverne), said he found the prospect “exciting,” adding: “We would be joining the electric revolution. We have got to move into the future, and this would be a great way of getting round the city.”

Cllr Sarah Douglas-Martin (LibDem, Tregolls) said: “I’m not against them, but there are lots of questions yet to be answered. Who will police the scooters on matters like speeding? Will the public be encouraged to report more than one person riding on a single scooter?”

“They won’t be allowed on pavements, but in Boscawen Street, this will mean riding on setts in close proximity to cars and buses, which is very concerning. I would like to see them excluded from Boscawen, River, Pydar and Kenwyn Streets – the busy city centre.”

Keen cyclist Cllr Sarah Wetherill (Green, Moresk & Trehaverne) said: “My main concerns are that they might be allowed to use paths which are already shared between pedestrians and cyclists; or that having to use the roads will make riders vulnerable.

“But I think there’s no harm in giving it a go, even for a couple of months and then review it. It’s all part of the mix of sustainable transport - anything that promotes people not using a car so much is a good thing.”

Penzance is scheduled to have 50 e-scooters alongside 50 bikes, of each, while Falmouth and Newquay will have 75 e-bikes and 50 e-scooters each.

London and Bristol are currently the keenest users of e-scooters in the UK. However, European cities including Paris and Prague have banned the vehicles in response to rising concerns over the number of people being injured and killed.

Devon & Cornwall Police confirmed that e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles. It is legal to use a rental e-scooter on a public road or cycle lane where a trial scheme is running, provided riders have the correct licence and follow road traffic regulations. It’s illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters in public spaces.

Cornwall Council and Beryl Bikes were contacted for comment.