E-scooter safety event launched for Road Safety Week

As part of UN Road Safety Week (17-23 May), Sunderland residents are invited to come along to the ScootSafe event between 12 and 5pm on Tuesday 18 May to get more information about the scooters, find out how to use them safely and try them out.

The event is a partnership between Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and e-scooter operator, Neuron. Members of the public will have the opportunity to complete a 10-minute safety course and learn about some of the features on the e-scooters like geofencing technology that controls where they can go and how fast they can travel in certain areas.

Riders can take part in a Sunderland-specific Safe Rider Quiz designed to promote safe riding. Credits will be awarded to all Neuron's users for completing the quiz.

Neuron is also highlighting other safety innovations including the 'helmet selfie' which awards riders free 30p credits if they take a picture of themselves wearing the helmet.  

At tomorrow's event, 'Safety Ambassadors' will be on hand to answer questions and distribute safe-riding leaflets, and a chalked-out ride area will be in place to demonstrate safe riding, with scooters and helmets sanitised after every use.

Sunderland's e-scooter rental trial began at the end of March and saw up to 200 distinctive orange e-scooters deployed across the city.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller said: "The nine-month trial currently underway with Neuron is providing the city with an excellent environmentally friendly new form of transport, and we have already seen many of our residents enjoying the e-scooters safely. As we get used to seeing the scooters around the city, many more people may want to try them out, especially as Covid-19 restrictions continue to be relaxed.

"As part of the UN Global Road Safety Week, it is important that e-scooter riders in Sunderland are educated on the rules of the road, including how to ride safely and responsibly. All Neuron e-scooters come with an app-controlled helmet and we urge riders to use these at all times. Riders who don't follow the riding rules risk injuries, police prosecution, and could have their Neuron accounts suspended.

"This event is the perfect opportunity to learn more about how they work and take a test drive."

George Symes, Expansion Manager at Neuron Mobility, said: "It is great to be partnering with Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police during UN Global Road Safety Week. The vast majority of riders in Sunderland have behaved responsibly, but we want to take this opportunity to reinforce the rules as well as our safety guidelines. Ultimately, we're committed to providing a safe, convenient and environmentally-friendly service for our users but also for the general public."

Sergeant Jane Munro, from Northumbria Police's Road Safety Team, said: "It is important e-scooter riders make sure they are aware of the laws and guidance which are in place for the safety of all.

"Disappointingly, we have seen instances where it has been necessary for officers to intervene and take action.

"Anyone who does not abide by the law, and for example rides them dangerously or while under the influence of alcohol, faces being prosecuted, which could result in a number of penalties including points on their driving licence.

"We all have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe - and we would encourage everyone to play their part."

The ScootSafe event will take place at Keel Square between 1 and 5pm on Tuesday 18 May.