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Shared sustainable transport provider, Beryl and scheme partners Norfolk County Council and National Grid are celebrating the third anniversary of their e-scooter scheme, which has now replaced more than 184,000 private road transport journeys.
Since being introduced alongside the region’s shared bikes and e-bikes in September 2020, the e-scooters have clocked up nearly 600,000 journeys across Norwich, covering more than 1.8 million km – nearly 45 journeys around the Earth.
According to industry calculations, these journeys have saved almost 100 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of more than 43,000 litres of petrol.
Research has also shown that, since the e-bikes arrived, riders in Norwich are embracing the extra variety.
The 2022 Beryl Annual Rider Report showed that the number of people riding bikes and e-scooters has almost doubled from 29% the previous year to 47% and the number of riders just using bikes has more than halved from 47% the previous year to just 20%.
It also showed that, on average, 40% of all riders in Norwich had reduced their car usage since using Beryl.
Phil Ellis, Beryl CEO and co-founder, said: “The numbers show that our e-scooters are very popular with Norwich users and we know that the trial is one of the most popular government approved schemes in the country.
“Demand is there and we believe that legalising the use of e-scooters would make them more accessible, boost their popularity further and normalise their presence on our roads.
“This would amplify calls for better infrastructure, which would not only improve safety, but also the perception of safety, and encourage even more people to leave their car keys at home. Ultimately, that will help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions while improving air quality and public health.”
In December 2022, The Department for Transport’s (DfT) National Evaluation of e-scooter trials findings report showed Norwich to be the fifth most utilised trials in the 32 across the country.
Beryl’s Norwich scheme saw two major landmarks this summer, as the scheme surpassed one million rides across three million kilometres.
Launched initially as a bike share scheme in March 2020, e-bikes were added to the Norwich scheme in July 2020, followed by e-scooters a couple of months later..
