Patrols and fines planned for new e-scooter scheme

Miya Chahal
BBC News, Nottingham
Dott A woman looking at her phone with one foot on a blue e-scooter, which has the name "dott" printed on.Dott
Plans for the new e-scooters include on-street patrols to check if people are misusing them

Patrols will be carried out in Nottingham to ensure e-scooters are being used safely as part of a new scheme.

Nottingham City Council confirmed on Wednesday about 1,300 e-scooters will again be available to hire in early spring.

Fines and bans could also be issued to people not using the vehicles properly after Dott was confirmed as the new operator.

A spokesperson for Dott said the firm was "excited" to work with the council and was confident it would provide a "successful service".

The e-scooters are part of a government-backed trial which started in 2020, and was recently extended to May 2026.

US company Superpedestrian previously supplied Nottingham's e-scooters until it shut down its UK operations in December 2023.

Iqbal Ahmed, UK public policy advisor for Dott, said: "We have experience of the UK market, and will introduce annual passes and discounts for low-income customers and students to keep a loyal base."

On actions that will be taken as part of the scheme, he added: "Users who mis-park or abandon their scooters will be fined and possibly banned from our service.

"Dott will have a team on the ground operating 24/7 to keep pavements clear and ensure e-scooters are being used properly."

'Trip hazard'

Nottingham City Council's leader, Neghat Khan, said: "By offering an alternative to car journeys, e-scooters will play a key role in easing congestion and lowering harmful emissions in our city.

"This aligns with our commitment [to promote] greener travel for all our residents and visitors."

Charities including the National Federation of the Blind (UK) have raised concerns about how e-scooters will impact blind and visually-impaired people.

Sarah Gayton, street access campaign coordinator for the charity, said: "The shape of e-scooters makes them an immediate trip hazard to everyone. Drivers whizz past people on them.

"To me, no amount of safeguards can actually make them safe."

In a statement, a Dott spokesperson added: "Our goal is to improve our communities through expanded transport options, not to create additional obstacles.

"Our [technology] prevents e-scooters from entering pedestrian zones, and requires users to end their journeys in designated parking locations."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

Related internet links