Concerns and factors preventing use

Councillors agree that the most common issue raised around rental e-scooters is their lack of safety, particularly in relation to irresponsible riding and use. Councillors find many constituents perceive the rental e-scooters as dangerous. For the rider, they are seen as dangerous due to the lack of helmet provision with the e-scooter, as well as the inappropriateness of road conditions to support the trial. For example, councillors relay that cars often drive less than 2m from e-scooters, made worse by the abundance of narrow roads in the city, e.g. Eastwood, Elmwood, Southwood.

From a pedestrian outlook, councillors highlight that many residents are worried about being hit by an e-scooter rider. The quietness of the rental e-scooter makes them a particular hazard for the elderly or disabled, as it is difficult to hear them approaching.

Constituents often complain of irresponsible use of the rental e-scooters, with users riding two to a scooter, wearing headphones, using their mobile phones, and crossing at junctions without looking. Issues have also been raised with underage riders using the rental e-scooters.

“If they’re [e-scooter riders] coming on pavements or they’re going really fast and not stopping at junctions, just generally not having good road sense, then obviously that’s bad for people who are, you know, disabled or partially sighted.”

“I did receive actually two complaints yesterday from the Cosham High Street precinct … One lady was over 70. She’s disabled as well and she didn’t see.”

Councillors highlight that there is a certain ‘moral outrage’ and ‘cognitive bias’ in the general understanding of rental e-scooters which often taints the perception of them. They indicate that often residents who do not like rental e-scooters do not like e-scooters ‘full stop’, and recognise that this perception has often been influenced by the illegal use of private e-scooters around Portsmouth. They argue that the tainted perception of rental e-scooters prevents many residents from trialling the scheme.

“I think a lot of them [complaint givers] haven’t tried it because they just they’ve sort of made their minds up in a way, you know, it’s a bit of cognitive bias about the scheme and about the scooters and their purpose.”

Councillors find that there is often a lack of confidence in residents who do not currently use the scheme, rather than an aversion to the trial. This largely results from a lack of technical understanding from the public, with little opportunities, or knowledge of, training schemes and events for new riders.

“I’d like to see more of that [training sessions] in different locations across the city, you know? So let’s say there’s one up in Paulsgrove, there’s one in Cosham, Hilsea, Copner, you know, all in these district centres where there are quite a significant amount of racks.”

Councillors highlight that there are an array of personal characteristics which often deter residents from using the rental e-scooter trial. In particular, councillors recognise the ageing demographic of Portsmouth and the fact that older populations are less likely to use the trial due their physical characteristics. Councillors also pointed out from personal perspectives, mirroring other residents of Portsmouth, travelling by rental e-scooter is much less accessible for those with children and families, including pets.

“I don’t think a higher age group will be willing to use e-scooters.”

Councillors generally agree that rental e-scooters can be a great mode of travel, but are not always suited to particular circumstances. For example, rental e-scooters are vulnerable to varying weather conditions and not especially suitable for travelling during the rain or cold weather. They are also not always suitable for different types of journeys, such as food shopping where riders would have to carry home several potentially heavy bags. Councillors feel that cars, in particular, will always hold more appeal than rental e-scooters for these journeys.

Councillors indicate that the rental e-scooter trial operating in Portsmouth may cause concern for other travel operators, particularly taxis and private hire vehicles. They highlight complaints that the rental e-scooter trial may reduce business for these operators.

“One of the taxi reps, he says they’re [e-scooters] a menace and then but also they’re competition as well.”