Call for e-scooter trial but concerns persist

An electric vehicle operator has called for e-scooters to be trialled in Jersey after a report commissioned by a parish committee recommended making them legal.

It is illegal to ride an electric scooter in public, but St Helier Roads Committee will consider a report that found e-scooters had "notable benefits" and could be integrated into the transport network.

The report said they could be introduced alongside appropriate safety measures as well as infrastructure and legal changes.

Nick Perchard-Rees, chief of electric car hire company EVie, said a trial would be the best way for the island to make an informed decision. The BBC has contacted the Government of Jersey for comment.

Mr Perchard-Rees said: "If there's an opportunity to make our roads quieter, safer, make people healthier, surely it's something we should try doing."

He said it was particularly worth considering for St Helier and other parishes close to town and the scooters could have set speed limits and no-go zones to ensure it was a "really safe service".

The firm previously had to withdraw its fleet of electric bicycles because of issues with its insurance and Mr-Perchard Rees said any e-scooter trial would need government support, including assistance with insurance.

Bernie Manning, who produced the report for the St Helier Roads Committee and is also a member of the committee, said Jersey was "far behind" the UK and other jurisdictions on e-scooter use.

Manning said e-scooters would be useful for people who do not have room to store an e-bike and would get people out of their cars, freeing up space on the roads.

He said, if the roads committee agreed with the report, he would encourage the constable to take it to a parish assembly and then to the States.

Among those with concerns about the introduction of e-scooters is Sarah Highfield, who was injured when she was hit by one in 2023.

She was walking her dog on a pavement in St Saviour, when the scooter collided with her, breaking her leg and fracturing her spine.

"My dog had muscle damage in one leg and is now scared of traffic, especially anything on two wheels," she said.

"He doesn't like walking down that road any more."

She said electric scooters were a great way to get around the island but they needed to be regulated and drivers should be insured.

"I think that safety equipment should be worn by the rider and the speeds should be limited," she said.

Patrick Kozlowski, the director of an electric bike shop in Jersey, said e-bikes were "massive" in Jersey at the moment.

However, he said the island's infrastructure was not the best for e-scooters, particularly with lots of narrow pavements.

He said it might be better if e-scooters were allowed on the roads but "a lot of work needs to be done" to make it possible.