Tag: transport

Superpedestrian launches the ‘world’s safest and smartest escooters’ into Bordeaux as it expands into France as its sixth European market

Superpedestrian has launched a fleet of LINK shared e-scooters in Bordeaux. The forward-looking French city takes a pioneering approach to shared micromobility and is a fitting new home for the high-tech vehicle that has been labelled “the Volvo of e-scooters” (Boston Globe). 

Superpedestrian rolled out 100 of its LINK e-scooters this week; the city permit limits all shared e-scooter operators to a maximum of 100 vehicles. 

All riders will enjoy free unlocks until 30 October 2021. During the same period, when a rider loads €15 to their in-app wallet, Superpedestrian will contribute €30 – tripling a rider’s original contribution. (When a rider loads €5, Superpedestrian adds €5; when a rider loads €10, Superpedestrian adds €15.)  The standard per-minute ride fee is just €0.20. 

The Superpedestrian service is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. To rent a scooter, riders simply need to search for Superpedestrian’s LINK app in the Google or Apple app stores.

“I’m delighted to bring Superpedestrian’s superior technology and service to the citizens of Bordeaux,” comments Haya Verwoord Douidri, VP (strategy, policy and market expansion) at Superpedestrian. “We opened our first shared fleet in Europe just 12 months ago. Bordeaux marks our sixth country in Europe and our 32nd city on the Continent. It’s been an incredible journey so far and I look forward to serving French cities with our safe, accessible and sustainable service.”

 

Electrified operations and world-first safety features

Superpedestrian manages its Bordeaux fleet using 100% electric vans, across a deployment area of approximately 30sq km. This helps minimise environmental impact, which is important to Superpedestrian as a company that was certified as 100% carbon neutral earlier this year.

Superpedestrian is the company behind Pedestrian Defense, a novel technology unveiled in July 2021 that is the first in the world to prevent footpath riding by scooter riders in real-time, rather than just detect it. The system is currently undergoing road-testing across North America and Europe and will arrive in France in 2022. 

LINK already features Superpedestrian’s patented Vehicle Intelligence (VI) system. This network of sensors, microprocessors and AI runs 1,000 vehicle health checks every second during a ride, modifies performance to avoid component failures (such as battery fires), notifies operations teams immediately if it is not upright (tip-over detection) and removes itself from service if it detects any one of 140 safety-critical conditions (including issues with electronics, battery, motor and brakes). 

Simply put, VI is like having a full-scooter x-ray continuously, every time you go for a ride. This sets a new benchmark when it comes to shared mobility standards, and is as big a step forward in scooter safety as the seat belt was for cars. 

Five reasons why Superpedestrian is great news for Bordeaux

 

  1. Fully carbon neutral. Every journey that Bordeaux riders choose to make on LINK scooters instead of using a car is one that helps combat the climate crisis. Because we design, engineer and manufacture our own vehicles, we minimise CO2 at every stage. 
  2. Affordable for all. We are the first in our sector to truly promote accessibility programs. For example, in 2021 the Seattle Department of Transport reported that 15% of trips on LINK scooters start or end in low-income communities – 10 times the next nearest provider.
  3. Efficiency at heart. We designed the industry’s first onboard, AI-based predictive maintenance system. This reduces repairs, cuts waste, extends service life and increases fleet availability. Better maintenance efficiency is better for the planet.
  4. Protecting public spaces. LINK is unique in its ability to store geofence maps and commands onboard the scooter itself. With 24,000 discrete map zones and an enforcement time of just 0.7s, LINK protects pedestrians and riders alike. 
  5. Wireless updates. Just like a Tesla car, LINK features an operating system that is updated remotely over-the-air. Each update brings better range, performance and safety features. Because LINK gets smarter and safer with age, Bordeaux will never have to wait for upgrades.

 

And four reasons why Bordeaux residents will love riding LINK scooters 

 

  1. A superior ride. The LINK scooter is 20% wider and 9% longer than the industry average, with wider handlebars and robust suspension. This gives riders a far more stable riding experience, just as a downhill skier selects longer skis for more predictable handling. 
  2. Long-range batteries. LINK scooters feature a 98km range battery, three times the industry average. This is perfect for commuters and shoppers, as well as the day trippers and tourists. 
  3. High visibility in all weather. Super-bright LED lights front and rear that are always on, a rear light that brightens during braking, a unique LED ring light information system on the handlebar and safety-yellow paint scheme help make LINK riders clearly visible, any time of day or night.
  4. Sealed, secure, safe. Guarding against catastrophic battery failures is important in a city with  major waterways. Our battery is triple-sealed to protect against inclement weather, vandals and water immersion – and VI automatically shuts down all circuits in five nanoseconds if water immersion is detected. 

Amazon to create 500 new jobs in Ireland with new fulfilment centre. #Amazon

A second delivery station will open in Dublin this autumn creating over 20 permanent jobs

Amazon has announced plans to open its first fulfilment centre in the Republic of Ireland, creating 500 new permanent jobs to help meet customer demand. The state-of-the-art fulfilment centre, which will open spring 2022, will provide faster delivery for customers across Ireland seven days a week, including one-day delivery on hundreds of thousands of items.

The 630,000 square foot centre at Baldonnell Business Park, Dublin, will hold millions of items to be picked, packed and shipped to customers across Ireland as well as the rest of Europe.

Recruitment has started for a range of new roles for the fulfilment centre, including engineers, HR and IT professionals through to health & safety and finance specialists and operations managers.  Recruitment for the Amazon teams who will pick, pack and ship customer orders will begin next year.

A second delivery station will also open at Northwest Logistics Park, Ballycoolin, serving customers in Dublin and the surrounding areas. The delivery station will create over 20 permanent jobs, in addition to dozens of driver opportunities for Amazon Logistics’ delivery service partners and Amazon Flex delivery partners. The 83,500 square foot building is expected to be fully operational this autumn.

Huge fleet of Amazon Prime vans Dublin. source – techbuzzireland

The first delivery station in Ireland opened last October in Rathcoole, Dublin, creating more than 20 permanent jobs and working with 10 independent delivery companies who hired more than 150 drivers. Last year Amazon also announced plans to create another 1,000 permanent jobs in Ireland over the next two years bringing Amazon’s total permanent workforce in the country to over 5,000 people by 2022.

Amazon provides competitive pay, excellent benefits and a modern, safe and engaging work environment for its employees. Amazon pays all its employees in Ireland, whether they are full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal, at least €12 per hour. Employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including include private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount as well as a company pension plan.

Amazon’s fulfilment network supports millions of businesses of all sizes worldwide through its Fulfilment by Amazon offering, and many of those local businesses are based in Ireland. There are thousands of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), authors and developers in Ireland growing their companies and reaching new customers with Amazon products and services.

What about Amazon.ie?

Whilst the awareness of the two new buildings have been no huge secret to many, especially those that work in the logistics industry this has been well known so all that remains is when will we see an Amazon.ie, well we will not be waiting to long it would be safe to say..

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD, said: “I welcome today’s news that Amazon will open its first Irish fulfilment centre in Dublin next spring, creating 500 new jobs. This, alongside the announcement of a second Dublin delivery station creating a further 20 new roles, will mean faster delivery of goods for customers all across the country and strongly underscores Amazon’s continued commitment to Ireland.

Since Amazon’s arrival here in 2004, it has become a significant source of employment – today’s announcement will bring its total workforce to over 5,000. I wish the team the very best of luck with this exciting new chapter.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland, said: “Amazon has had a presence in Ireland for 17 years now, growing and expanding its range of activities which has contributed significantly to Ireland’s tech ecosystem and our reputation as a global tech hub. Already a substantial and valued employer, the 500 additional jobs being created in this new centre will bring its permanent workforce to over 5,000 next year in Ireland. It is great to see Ireland continuing to attract investment and playing such an important part in the future plans of this global company. Amazon’s ongoing commitment to Ireland is most welcome.”

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy TD, said: “I am delighted to see Amazon continuing to grow its presence in Ireland. The opening of this new fulfilment centre will speed up deliveries for Irish customers and create 500 new roles, bringing Amazon’s headcount here to over 5000. This announcement is a significant reaffirmation of Amazon’s commitment to Ireland, and I wish all involved every success.”

Stefano Perego, VP Amazon’s Fulfilment Centre Operations in Europe, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first fulfilment centre in Dublin enabling us to provide faster delivery times for customers across Ireland.  We are excited to be creating 500 new permanent roles which offer competitive wages, excellent benefits and a modern, safe and engaging work environment for our employees.

“The new state-of-the-art fulfilment centre and delivery station are a further sign of our commitment to the communities in which we operate. The new teams will play a crucial role in providing faster delivery to customers across Ireland including one-day delivery on hundreds of thousands of items.”

 

FREE NOW and Pinergy partner in drive to help facilitate more electric rides by 2030 #evs #Pinergy #FREENOW

Pinergy, the smart energy provider of clean electricity, has today announced a new energy partnership with FREE NOW, Ireland’s leading ride-hailing app, which will see Pinergy provide expert support to FREE NOW drivers who want to make the transition to electric vehicles. The initiative supports FREE NOW’s goal of having 100% zero emission rides in all key FREE NOW markets across Europe by 2030 with plans to have at least 50% fully electric vehicle rides by 2025.
As part of this new partnership, Pinergy will provide advice and services to FREE NOW partner drivers, including the installation of electric vehicle (EV) home charging points and guidance. Pinergy’s newly launched smart energy ‘Lifestyle’ plans will also be available, with exclusive benefits for FREE NOW drivers to make the most of Pinergy’s smart tariffs.
Today’s announcement supports FREE NOW’s Green Pledge for 100% of trips to be zero emission by 2030 in all key European cities. As part of this, FREE NOW is investing €6million in an effort to encourage more drivers to switch to electric vehicles (EVs), by enabling them to install home chargers. FREE NOW has also recently launched its brand new EV expert team, which is dedicated to helping drivers make the move to an electric vehicle and avail of the generous grants now available. In addition, FREE NOW last year launched its ‘Eco’ booking option, which enables passengers to choose electric or hybrid taxis to support Ireland’s drive to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to better air quality.
FREE NOW offers every driver who successfully avails of the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) Home Charging Grant Scheme an opportunity to save an additional €600 through the FREE NOW EV Home Charger Grant Match. As part of this partnership Pinergy can supply and install the home EV charger at drivers’ homes while also advising and consulting drivers to help them manage their energy supply efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. FREE NOW drivers that have already made the switch to electric report saving up to as much as €5,000 a year on running costs on top of the savings made by taking advantage of the various grants available.
Jon Jerromes, Head of Sales at Pinergy commenting on the partnership, said: “We at Pinergy are always excited to partner with forward thinking and innovative companies like FREE NOW who share our vision of an electric future and are committed to taking positive action in playing their part for a sustainable energy future. FREE NOW is leading the way in the electrification of Ireland’s taxi fleet and today’s announcement marks another important step towards the rollout of greener vehicles and achieving their zero emission rates targets.”
Niall Carson, Irish Country Manager at FREE NOW said: “Making the decision to partner with Pinergy to help FREE NOW partner drivers that want to transition to electric vehicles was an easy decision. At FREE NOW we’re excited to help and incentivise our drivers to move to electric vehicles as part of our Green Pledge commitments to push further the drive towards a greener, zero-carbon community. It is great to receive Pinergy’s knowledge and support to help our partner drivers, amplifying FREE NOW’s efforts to be a greener company.”
Pinergy’s recently announced Lifestyle Plans, designed around smart meter technology and its award-winning app, will also be available to FREE NOW drivers as part of the exclusive energy partnership deal between the two companies. Pinergy’s Lifestyle Plans are comprised of a choice of different discounted time-of-use tariffs to suit the particular lifestyle needs of energy consumers and include a “Work from Home” plan, a “Family Time” plan and a “Drive Time” plan for those families looking to charge their electric vehicles overnight, when energy supply is typically at its cheapest rates. Further information about Pinergy Lifestyle is available online at: https://pinergy.ie/home-electricity/fixed-price-plans/

Bird launches shared e-bike and smart bikeshare platform to meet demand for eco-friendly transportation. #Bird #Bikeshare #Micromobility

Bird, a leader in shared environmentally-friendly electric transportation, announced today the addition of shared e-bikes to its fleet of micro-electric vehicles and the launch of Bird Bike. Bird currently operates e-scooters in more than 250 cities globally and will bring its shared bikes and Smart Bikeshare Platform to select cities this year, including cities across Ireland.

The launch of the Bird Bike and Smart Bikeshare Platform comes as Ireland moves towards legislating for shared electric scooter schemes. While the Irish Government is drafting its Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, local Councils are preparing for launch in their areas, once electric scooters have been legalised.

The shared Bird Bike delivers on Bird’s commitment to broadening access to eco-friendly transportation around the world at a time when global demand for bikes and scooters has never been higher. With shared e-bikes, Bird will partner with cities that do not have, or are looking to supplement, an existing bike or scooter-sharing network to offer the highest quality vehicles and operations designed to meet the mobility needs of all riders.

“Shared e-scooters catapulted shared micromobility to the center stage of eco-friendly transportation in cities by providing more than 150 million zero-emission trips globally,” said Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird. “We are launching our shared Bird Bike and Smart Bikeshare platform to meet fast-growing demand from cities and riders for more sustainable transportation options while expanding our serviceable addressable market by 5 billion trips per year.”

The Shared Bird Bike

Built with safety and durability as the focal points, the shared Bird Bike is a smart, connected vehicle that complements cities’ existing transportation networks. Each bike is equipped with a high-powered electric motor capable of powering riders up hills with as much as a 20% grade while its 75-pound frame and step through design offers riders of all sizes a sturdy yet maneuverable vehicle for increased safety. Additionally, the shared Bird Bike has a front basket for storage, large pneumatic tires for a smooth ride, and IoT features such as self-automating onboard diagnostics, geospeed technology and multi-mode geolocation to ensure compliant operations in cities and towns of all sizes.

bird bikeshare

Smart Bikeshare Platform Meets Demand for Eco-Friendly Transportation

Bird believes shared e-bikes and e-scooters should complement existing clean transportation and mass transit systems while being available and accessible to everyone. With its Smart Bikeshare platform, Bird can provide communities a robust suite of offerings including the Bird Bike, integrations with locally owned and operated bikeshare services, partnerships with transit apps for comprehensive trip planning, and access to additional eco-friendly transportation options such as e-mopeds provided by third parties.

Collaboration is at the heart of Bird’s operations; Bird is the first scooter operator to integrate with existing local shared bike and e-moped providers and transit apps. In Italy for example, Bird is partnering with Zig Zag, a local company, by integrating their vehicle availability directly in the Bird app to promote shared micromobility use. Bird is also working closely with groups like the North American Bikeshare Association (NABSA) and other transportation organizations around the world to bring these kinds of integrations to additional cities.

“Cities and riders are best served by efficient, collaborative and non-monopolized transportation networks,” said VanderZanden. “Our vision of smart, responsible bike sharing is to provide the best shared bikes and operations when cities need them, and having the foresight to offer the best support and multimodal integrations when they don’t. Cities, people and the planet win when there is greater access to eco-friendly transportation.”

Availability

Bird Bike, Bird’s newest vehicle built for shared use, will be available in select cities throughout North America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Ireland and France this year. Riders will be able to access Bird Bike via the Bird app’s effortless “scan and ride” experience and QR codes on each e-bike.

Cities and others interested in bringing Bird Bike or Bird’s Smart Bikeshare platform to their communities can email hello@bird.co for more information.

 

Bird In Ireland

Bird is eagerly anticipating the passage of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021, which will legislate for the use of Powered Personal Transport (PPT) vehicles including electric scooters. It is currently engaging with local councils, businesses and other organisations throughout Ireland to help them prepare for the introduction of e-scooters.

Charlotte Bailey, General Manager, UK & Ireland at Bird said: “Bird is delighted to make this really exciting announcement today, especially as Ireland will be one of our priority launch markets. We know how important multi-modality will be to Councils and with this announcement, consumers in their area will have the choice of Bird’s electric scooters, the Bird electric bike and even bikes from the existing operators in their locality, all on the one platform. With this announcement, Bird will now be the most experienced operator in the market, with the broadest offering for Councils and consumers, and we look forward to the journey towards safe and sustainable transport in Ireland.”

FREE NOW and other providers call on the Minister to ensure the proposed legislation for e-scooters receives its full consideration and passage over the coming weeks

A number of e-scooter and e-bike operators, potential operators and mobility platforms, including Ireland’s lead ride hailing app and multi-mobility provider FREE NOW, have today sent a letter to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan calling on him to see that the proposed legislation for e-scooters receives its full consideration and passage over the coming weeks.

The Programme for Government- published last year- included a pledge from the Government to ‘legislate for e-scooters and e-bikes’.  And on February 1 this year, the Government approved the drafting of legislation to allow for their regulation.  One of the main provisions of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is to legislate for the use of e-scooters, and this will ultimately allow them to be used legally and safely in a public place.

 

 

lime escooter

 

Today, FREE NOW are amongst a group of operators, potential operators and mobility platforms who have written to the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD to see that the Bill receives its full consideration and passage over the coming weeks in order to allow passengers to enjoy the benefits of e-scooters throughout the late summer and early autumn months.

They are asking the Government to “commit to a timeline to implement this important legislation”.  In their letter, which is attached, they also state:  “We believe that it is vital that legislation is prioritised and finalised as soon as possible to allow all relevant processes to take place to ensure we have scooters deployed in the late summer / early autumn months.”

As we all know this has been going on long enough now and nothing has been done so lets see what happens in the near future…

The letter sent..

Dear Minister 

We are writing to you as a group of e-scooter and e-bike operators, potential operators  and mobility platforms. We are all hugely supportive of the work being undertaken by  the Government to legislate for e-scooters as part of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous)  Bill. 

We were delighted to see that it is contained in the Summer Legislative Programme.  Our ask is to ensure that the Bill receives its full consideration and passage over the  coming weeks in order to allow passengers to enjoy the benefits of e-scooters in the  Summer and Autumn. Multi-modality will be a hugely important element of our re 

opening, ensuring that people have a range of transport options available to them. We  would ask the government to commit to a timeline to implement this important  legislation. 

E-scooters have been found to be a safe and enjoyable transport mode. Many of the  signatories to this letter have experience in other countries and understand the need  to ensure that safety of passengers and other road users must be paramount. We  believe that it is vital that legislation is prioritised and finalised as soon as possible to  allow all relevant processes to take place to ensure we have scooters deployed in the  late summer / early autumn months.  

As the pandemic draws to a close we are keen to continue to support a safe re opening. We are eager to work with government, regulators and other stakeholders to  ensure that scooters are a safe, reliable and enjoyable option for passengers.

Kerry County Council first to trial carbon neutral truck. #Kerry #Scania #HGV #CarbonNeutral

Kerry County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to trial a zero carbon Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) powered by compressed renewable gas. The truck was supplied by Scania dealers, T. Nolan and Sons in Castleisland, and fuelled using carbon neutral renewable gas from the national gas network supplied by Gas Networks Ireland.

During the two-week trial, Kerry County Council used this clean transport solution to move road salt from Co. Tipperary.

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen said:

“Meeting Ireland’s climate target is a big challenge and transport is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. We are delighted to do our bit in Kerry and trial trucks powered by renewable gas as a viable option to reduce our fleet emissions.”

 

While only 4% of vehicles on Ireland’s roads are classified as HGVs and buses, they account for 30% of all emissions in the road transport sector. Compressed natural gas (CNG) can reduce HGV well-to-wheel emissions by up to 23% (Cenex 2019) compared to diesel and deliver cost savings for operators of up to 35% (Cadent 2016).

However, as the volume of carbon neutral renewable gas on the national network increases into the future, hauliers and fleet operators who have made the switch to gas will increasingly reduce their carbon footprint without changing a thing.

Renewable gas is structurally identical to natural gas and compatible with the existing infrastructure, technology and vehicles. With locally supplied renewable gas now on the Irish network, gas is the affordable, proven and sustainable long-term solution for Ireland’s fleet managers and hauliers.

Gas Networks Ireland’s CNG Program Delivery Manager, Declan O’Sullivan, said:

“We are delighted that Kerry County Council has joined companies around Ireland in experiencing the emissions and cost savings associated with using both natural and renewable gas in HGVs.

“Gas Networks Ireland is on a journey to decarbonise the transport sector.  Renewable gas, which is entering the gas network today, enables carbon neutral transport, as CNG vehicles operating on natural gas today are future proofed for renewable gas.

“By delivering a network of CNG filling stations and enabling the introduction of renewable gas to the network, we are supporting hauliers and fleet operators to make a sustainable switch to a carbon neutral fuel.”

On March 1 Gas Networks Ireland announced a €2.9m CNG Vehicle Grant scheme to support the purchase of up to 400 gas-powered trucks, buses and vans and help drive a more sustainable transport sector.

The Grant will cover 20% of the difference between CNG and diesel-powered vehicles, capped at €5,000, with a maximum €60,000 available to any one applicant. Grants can be used towards the costs of vehicles registered from 2020.

The CNG Vehicle Fund is co-financed by the European Union’s TEN-T Programme under the Connecting Europe Facility as part of the Green Connect Project. Applications are now being accepted at www.gasnetworks.ie/cngvehiclegrant.

FREE NOW welcomes Minister’s commitment to legalise e-scooters in 2021. #escooters #transport

FREE NOW, Ireland’s largest taxi app, has welcomed the Minister for Transport’s commitment to legislate for e-scooters in 2021. 

Minister Eamon Ryan said this week in the Dáil that he intends to legislate for e-scooters in 2021 as outlined in the Programme for Government by identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation, and that his officials have commenced work on drafting the necessary changes. This has been an ongoing issue for escooter users for some time now and needs to be addressed quicker in my opinion however we wont be constantly banging the same drum on it a keep posting it day in day out.

The Minister’s comments come following the launch of a new Mobility Series, led by FREE NOW, which brings industry leaders together to push key issues and opportunities for Ireland relating to sustainable mobility. The first event in the series earlier this month focused on e-scooters in the Covid-19 world, and the steps that need to be taken in order for Ireland to catch up with its European neighbours to offer more diverse transport options across the country.

 

Chair of the Mobility Series, Fiona Brady, Head of Operations at FREE NOW said: “We are extremely pleased to see the Minister’s commitment to legislate for e-scooters next year.   We are very open to working with the Minister and his departmental officials to help develop the necessary legislation as expediently as possible, drawing from our extensive experience inputting into policy where we provide this service in other countries ”

“The legislation, and clarification on vehicle classification, will allow for the safe operation and interaction of e-scooters with other road users. E-scooters allow for a socially-distanced way of getting around that is very suited to the public transport challenges of the pandemic, as well as offering a more environmentally-friendly, affordable way to travel that reduces carbon emissions and traffic congestion.  A recent survey of our customers found that almost 70% of those interviewed are now more environmentally-aware when making decisions on how to travel since the pandemic began. We want to see E-scooters available for use from next Summer.”

It is now almost one year since the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport ran a public consultation on Personal Powered Transporters.

Other members of the Mobility Series focused on e-scooters included Zipp, Zeus Scooters and CoMO UK.  The next event in the Mobility Series will be held at the beginning of November and will focus on electric vehicles

Innovation in Irish transport lagging behind our European counterparts, new mobility grouping claims

Ireland is lagging behind its European neighbours when it comes to creating and regulating new, innovative transport modes like e-scooters, a new mobility grouping has said. This is something myself I have an issue with as there is still no answer going forward for users who can be fined for using effective transport especially in these challenging times right now and when we should be using public transport as a last resort, I too own an electric scooter but there is a grey area that has not been fixed yet and going on too long now and needs to be addressed NOW.

The comments come as FREE NOW, Ireland’s largest e-hailing app, launched a new Mobility Series aimed at bringing together a range of stakeholders from across the sector to discuss the key issues and opportunities for Ireland to become a leader in joined-up, sustainable mobility that helps cities flow and reduces reliance on private car ownership.

The first event in the series brought mobility industry leaders together and focused on e-scooters in the Covid-19 world, and the steps that need to be taken in order for Ireland to catch up with its European neighbours in order to offer micro-mobility across the country.

Speakers included other Irish e-scooter operators: Zipp’s VP Growth & Government Affairs, Will O’Brien and Zeus Scooters’ COO, David O’Reilly as well as Richard Dilks, CEO of CoMO UK, a charity that focuses on the public benefit of shared transport and has worked closely with industry and Government on the trials in the UK.

The key recommendations from across the group include:

  • Learning from other countries such as the UK, Germany and Australia who have already legalised e-scooters or undertaken e-scooter trials – these can highlight successes and mistakes to learn from.
  • The introduction of e-scooter trials in a range of locations in Ireland – both big cities and smaller towns in order for lessons to be learnt in a range of settings. There needs to be several trials, not just one.
  • The need for operators and local authorities to focus on ensuring other road users and non E-scooter users are considered, for example when it comes to parking through the use of geofencing technology to ensure compliance.
  • The use of private e-scooters to be reviewed separately to organisations that can provide e-scooters as part of the transport network. Operator schemes allow for more safety and traceability.
  • A focus on training for first-time users to tackle any safety concerns.
  • E-scooters can help create a modal shift, and move people away from private car journeys, helping with city congestion and the environment while contributing to the road to zero carbon.
  • For authorities to have a joined up approach for e-scooters and other modes of transport to create a truly integrated, sustainable, transport system

Chair of the Mobility Series, Fiona Brady, Head of Operations at FREE NOW said: “The Mobility Series has been set up to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the pivotal topics within the transport sector. It is really important that these issues are not forgotten amidst the pandemic chaos of 2020. In the context of Covid-19, we need our cities and towns to move in a more sophisticated way more than ever and we are lagging behind our European neighbours on key opportunities to do so, such as the regulated introduction of  e-scooters into our mobility ecosystem.

“We have set up this Series to drive discussion but also to ignite real change.  We at FREE NOW will continue to call on the Government to prioritise the legislation for e-scooter trials as soon as possible. Scooters allow for the socially-distanced transport that is appropriate for the pandemic, and trials in countries such as the UK, where the first trials started just 9 days after legislation was passed, are accelerating – we need to see more action here.”

The next event in the Mobility Series will be held at the beginning of November and will focus on electric vehicles. A recent survey of FREE NOW passengers showed that almost 70% of people are now more environmentally-aware in their day-to-day routines, including when making decisions on how to travel, since COVID-19.

Mobility companies say programme commitment to legislate for e-scooters should be urgent priority in new government #escooters

A group of major mobility providers in Ireland have written to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party to welcome the commitment in the Programme for Government to legislate for e-scooters, but have also called for a radical rethink in how Ireland manages transport.

FREE NOW, Lime, Bleeperbike, Zip Mobility and Zeus have said any new incoming government must make legislation for e-scooters and other forms of Powered Personal Transporters (PPT) an immediate priority in the wake of COVID-19.

In an open letter sent to the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, the providers highlighted the need to radically rethink how Ireland manages transport and the requirement for new forms of micro mobility: “Now, more than ever, we can encourage a shift into alternative forms of transport. Other countries have made the deployment of micro-mobility a key step in supporting their re-opening, it is time for Ireland to do the same. COVID-19 has changed how people will travel and many are seeking alternatives that allow social distancing. E-scooters and other forms of micro-mobility can support this.”

Image by Christian Bueltemann from Pixabay

Alan Fox, General Manager of FREE NOW said: “We have brought together the major mobility providers in Ireland and are calling on any incoming government to prioritise the legislation of e-scooters and other micro mobility as a matter of urgency. While we welcome the commitments made in the new Programme for Government, we urge any incoming government to make this legislation a top priority. Ireland needs to radically rethink how we manage the traditional transport modes such as buses and trains to reduce clustering of commuters at peak times.  Taxi drivers have been working throughout the pandemic to get essential workers to where they need to be. Taxis will continue to offer the potential to transport passengers in an effective, socially-distanced way, but we now see people looking for greater mode diversity and alternatives to public transport as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We need to offer alternative modes of transport that enable people to get around without putting more private cars on the streets, which would ratchet up congestion again and increase harmful carbon emissions. Now is the time for any new government to allow for more choice and encourage people to leave their cars at home and use e-bikes, e-scooters and other forms of micro mobility.”   

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport ran a public consultation on Personal Powered Transporters (PPTs) last year, but no recent progress has been made to introduce new legislation that would permit the use of e-scooters in Ireland. The commitment to legislate for e-scooters was included in the recently-announced Programme for Government.

The mobility providers also said in the letter that: “We believe that we can help people travel responsibly and we will help usher in the return of economic activity. This is a great opportunity for a new government to encourage passengers to get out of private cars and onto bikes, scooters and other forms of micro-mobility.” 

Electric scooters, an efficient and carbon-friendly transport mode that is tailor-made for the new socially-distanced normal, are already an integral part of the transport mix in many European countries like Germany and France that are easing restrictions with measured transport circulation.