One person per scooter say police, councils and Voi

Only one person on a scooter at a time - this is the message from West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police and e-scooter operator Voi.

The four organisations are joining forces to urge e-scooter riders to follow the one person per scooter rule.

Only the person who hires a Voi rental e-scooter using their own account is allowed to ride the e-scooter.

Anyone caught taking a passenger on a scooter could face a lifetime ban from Voi.

Multiple riders on a scooter could also face prosecution, including fines and points on their driving licence.

If there is a road accident involving more than one person on a single scooter, Voi’s insurers may look to recoup any third party payouts from all riders.

Matt O’Connell, Safer Roads Team Strategic Manager for Northamptonshire Police, said: “An e-scooter is not a toy. It is a vehicle designed to be ridden on the roads and therefore must be treated with care and responsibility.

“Anyone riding one in tandem is putting both riders as well as other road users at risk of serious injury or worse.

“Please look after yourselves and others by riding the Voi e-scooters in accordance with the rules.”

Cllr Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, said: “The e-scooter trials are about seeing what is working and what needs to be improved. On this occasion, we’re targeting multiple riders on one e-scooter, something we see far too often on the streets across Northamptonshire. Most e-scooter riders are sensible and follow the rules, keeping everyone safe, but there are a minority who break the rules, and we are urging users to stick to one rider per scooter or a risk ban and prosecution.

“I would urge anyone who spots multiple riders on a single Voi e-scooter to report the incident online or via email.”

Cllr Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “The Voi scheme provides a cost-effective and sustainable way for people across Northampton to travel for work and leisure. Generally, riders are sensible and follow the rules by riding alone. However, unfortunately there are others who continue to put themselves and others in danger by riding with more than one person per e-scooter.

“We support Voi in cracking down severely on those who abuse the scheme. We need to work together to improve and ensure the safety of everyone. Therefore, we urge anyone who witnesses more than one person riding a Voi e-scooter to report it so that strong action can be taken against those breaking the rules.”

Jim Hubbard, Senior Policy Manager for Voi UK, said: “Our e-scooters are designed to be ridden by one person only. They are a safe, affordable and sustainable way of getting around - but we are reminding riders that the rule is always one person per scooter.”

Voi has fined or banned 70 people for riding one of the company’s scooters with more than one person on board this year.

Anyone who spots one of Voi’s coral-coloured e-scooters being ridden by more than one person can report it to report.voi.com or email [email protected], giving details of the time, location and if possible the scooter’s four-digit registration number, so that Voi can investigate and take action.