New research shows green impact of e-scooters as Salford extends trial

The research, studying e-scooter use across the Greater Manchester area, has been launched as Salford City Council confirms that Lime will extend its e-scooter trial in partnership with the Department for Transport and Transport for Greater Manchester.

This extension reflects growing interest in the scheme. Lime report recently reaching 430,000 e-scooter rides in the city - 270,000 of which were made in the past 12 months alone. 

The study is the first of its kind and the largest study of e-scooters in the UK to date, with over 2,400 responses across three surveys, 49 one-on-one interviews, and 13 focus groups.

The research highlighted how Greater Manchester residents are beginning to integrate e-scooters into their daily lives, and have started to replace journeys that would have otherwise been made using another mode of transport. 67% of respondents reported having used e-scooters for a journey that they would have usually made using a different type of transport (excluding walking), and almost half (49%) of riders report having used e-scooters instead of a car (private or taxi + ride hailing). 

4 out of 10 riders (38%) has used e-scooters to connect with public transport, and many have turned to e-scooters as an option when public transport is unavailable, such as when travelling to and from shift work. 

Dr Graeme Sherriff, Co-Director of the Sustainable Housing & Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) and Reader at the University of Salford, said: “We’ve found it really interesting to look at the ways in which people are building e-scooters into their travel routines. People value the ability to pick up an e-scooter to make a short journey, and then drop them off on arrival.

"Our report highlights challenges, not least perceptions of risk in busy traffic and in shared use areas. It therefore adds to the evidence base supporting the provision of more high-quality infrastructure for walking, cycling and scooting.”

Hal Stevenson, Senior Public Affairs Manager for Lime UKI said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester. Residents have truly embraced e-scooters into their daily lives and this is a step in the direction as we look to take more cars off roads.

“E-scooters are becoming an integral part of Greater Manchester’s sustainable transport infrastructure more broadly too. As public confidence in the scheme continues to grow, we’re looking forward to continuing to develop Lime’s presence in the community.” 

Nicola Kane, Head of Strategic Planning, Research and Innovation at Transport for Greater Manchester said: “The trial has provided an opportunity for Greater Manchester to be at the forefront of transport innovation, providing insights into how shared e-scooters can contribute to the Bee Network vision and help achieve our strategic goals set out in the 2040 Transport Strategy. This report provides us with a detailed evidence base to help evaluate the future role of shared e-scooters in Greater Manchester.”