A TRAILBLAZING e-scooter hire scheme has been extended following a successful trial period.

Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company, announced yesterday its e-scooters will continue to be available to hire in Colchester until March.

The firm launched its public hire scheme in Essex in December last year and has since seen 143,000 rides undertaken in the town.

However, Spin revealed the trial will conclude in Clacton at the end of this month, despite the coastal town seeing 37,500 rides on its streets since the launch.

The extension also includes the Spin Access and Spin Everyday Heroes schemes to support NHS workers and low-income riders with free and subsidised rides.

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Commenting on the trial extension, Steve Pyer, UK and Ireland country manager at Spin, said: “The success of our e-scooter trials in Essex represents an exciting shift to a more sustainable transport solution.

“Our community-centred, consultative approach with local authorities and collaboration with the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder group demonstrates micromobility solutions can provide a safe, sustainable, and reliable service that meets the needs of all residents.”

Rider data reveals Spin e-scooters are most often used for short journeys, with riders clocking up an average journey of 3km in distance and 23 minutes in length.

The initiative, which aims to provide a greener method of transport, has also seen 82 per cent of riders use the scooters to replace a solo car journey at least once.

It has helped to aid Essex County Council in its goal to lower carbon emissions across the region as part of its Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign.

Peter Blackman, chairman of Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group, said the extension of the trial was “sensible” and “welcome”.

He added: “By the end of the extended trial we trust legislation will be forthcoming to provide a smooth transfer from trial to the permanent, but continually improving, safe use of legitimate e-scooters and eradication of the dangerous illegal private ones.

“In accordance with the recently revised Highway Code, users of e-vehicles must assume all pedestrians they see may be visually impaired, deaf, frail or have a disability.”