Council to decide on e-scooter trial in Brighton

Scooters will be available to hire from 30 hangars run by the city's current e-bike operator Beryl

Roughly 300 electric scooters will be available to hire in Brighton & Hove as part of trial being considered by councillors.

The scooters would be limited to a maximum speed of 12.5mph (20km/h) and could only be hired by people aged 17 or over who hold a provisional driving licence.

Brighton & Hove City Council will decide whether to go ahead with the trial at a meeting on Thursday and would then need to submit an application to the Department for Transport.

The council said the scheme "eliminates the need for illegal e-scooter riding" and would reduce air pollution and congestion.

Riders will only be able to use the scooters on the roads, in cycle lanes or in "shared spaces". They are not permitted on pavements and anyone breaking the rules could be banned.

The scooters will be tracked by satellites to stop them being used outside of the hire zone, including areas like the promenade and Undercliff pass.

They will be fitted with front and rear lights, registration plates and horns.

A curfew will mean they cannot be hired between the hours of midnight and 05:00 BST Saturdays and Sundays.

A "go slow" period where the scooters have a top speed of 6.5mph (10km/h) will operate between midnight and 05:00 on weekdays.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: "We'll be listening to residents' views and taking on their feedback before, during and after any trial. I'd urge everyone to take part.

"E-scooters will add to a growing and integrated transport network in our city.

"Our Bus service improvement plan is already making bus travel easier and more affordable and we're spending around £8m to improve our roads and pavements."