Voi e-scooter trial in Bristol extended after one year in the city

Voi’s e-scooter trial in Bristol has been extended until March next year.

The decision to allow the coral-coloured scooters to stay was made by the West of England Combined Authority, and comes a year after they were brought in.

The extension has pleased Voi, which say the region it covers - Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire - has been one of its largest and most successful areas for e-scooter operations.

Jack Samler, general manager at Voi UK and Ireland, added: “We are delighted to have been given more time to build on our success so far.”

The company says it has seen almost 2.5 million rides on the e-scooters in the region - a number, it claims, which has replaced 900,000 short car journeys.

The scheme, however, has faced some criticism over the mass parking of e-scooters and safety.

Mr Samler said: “We will continue to listen to users, the local community, and key stakeholders - such as disability and visually-impaired groups - to ensure micromobility can work for everyone.

“This trial extension will be invaluable, and can only help to strengthen an already truly collaborative partnership.

“We look forward to continuing our mission in Bath, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire to transform our cities for the better.”

Mayor Marvin Rees, who voiced his support for the scheme earlier this month, said: “E-scooters are a great way to travel around the city and they are proving popular in Bristol and our wider region.

“It is particularly important that we are providing another low-emission alternative to short car journeys, alongside our ongoing improvements to bus, walking and cycling journeys across the city and plans for a mass transit system.”