Hundreds more e-scooters deployed across Bristol to address availability issues

Some 500 more e-scooters have been deployed across Bristol following concerns about availability. 

E-scooter provider Tier says the availability of their vehicles has been impacted by a manufacturing issue affecting the kickstand.   

As well as faulty kickstands, users have shared safety concerns and issues with the app. 

In a statement on X on Monday (November 27), TIER UK Street Patrol, who manage the fleet of e-scooters, said: “Scooter availability in Bristol has been impacted by a manufacturing issue affecting the kickstand. 

“We are pleased to share that we have 500 more scooters deployed today compared to last week. These have been fitted with a new and improved kickstand. Further updates to follow.”   

The deployment of more e-scooters comes after Tier addressed the concerns about their vehicles earlier in November.    

In a statement, they previously said: “We’ve been hearing that some people have been finding it difficult to hire an e-scooter over the last few days. 

“Unfortunately a manufacturing issue outside of our control has come to light which prevents the e-scooter kickstand from fully retracting on some of the fleet.

“We have identified a solution and are working to remedy the issue as quickly as possible. The availability of e-scooters has been affected, however from today the number of rentable scooters is increasing daily.” 

West of England mayor Dan Norris has warned Tier could be fined if it “doesn't get its act together”.     

The Berlin-based company took over as Bristol's main e-scooter provider after the contract with previous provider Voi came to an end in October. 

But some have called for the return of Swedish firm Voi due to the slow rollout of Tier’s e-scooters.  

Some 2,000 e-scooters have been placed in various locations across Bristol so far. 

Tier has said it hopes to make another 4,000 e-scooters - along with a fleet of e-bikes - available by the end of the year.