E-scooter company Voi has released dates for safety training for Bristol riders starting this Saturday (May 27). The in-person session is free of charge and includes a day pass worth £10 so they can ride free for the session and collect a free helmet worth £35.
The safety sessions will include webinars and in-person events and will take place at Park 21, at the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus. Participants at the live events can use the opportunity to learn more about riding skills in a safe traffic free environment, as well as finding out more about Voi e-scooters.
Alternatively anyone completing the safety webinar will receive 30 free minutes for use on an e-Voi scooter. The webinars will be an hour and will cover all aspects of safety riding on an e-scooter, from wearing a helmet, to the correct position in the road and how to park without causing an obstruction.
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Jack Samler, Voi's general manager in the UK, Ireland and France said: “Safety is our top priority. I’d recommend anyone who rides or wants to ride our e-scooters to take part in one of our safety events. Using an e-scooter is a great way to get around without causing congestion or pollution, they’re easy to use, affordable and sustainable.”
Several safety complaints have been repeated during the e-scooter trial in Bristol, although a major study last year said they are "safer than bikes". Some still say they are dangerous, while others say it's the users to blame if they ignore rules by riding tandem or not taking care to avoid pedestrians.
Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport at Bristol City Council, said: “It’s encouraging that these e-scooter safety lessons are taking place and I would urge everyone who rides a Voi e-scooter to join either in-person or online. We want all our road users to be as safe as possible, understanding the rules of the road and what is expected of them.”
The day pass covers free riding for the in-person session and an extra 15 minutes for practising afterwards. The first in-person event this weekend will run on Saturday from 9.30am-3.40pm, according to the booking page.
Road safety education and safety company, TTC Group will be running the webinars and events. Louise Elstone, TTC vulnerable road user training programme manager said: “Our in-person e-scooter safe riding skills events create a safe off-road space in which riders can try e-scooters for the first time.
“Our monthly one hour webinars are designed to give an overview of how to get started and what to expect on your first Voi ride. In 2023, we delivered over 50 e-scooter safe riding skills events in nine cities to more than 1,000 riders.”
Webinars have been scheduled for:
- Thursday 8 June at 12pm and 1.15pm,
- Wednesday 19 July at 5.30pm and 6.45pm,
- Tuesday 1 August at 12pm and 1.15pm,
- Tuesday 12 September at 5.30pm and 6.45pm,
- Thursday 19 October at 12pm and 1.15pm,
- Tuesday 14 November at 5.30pm and 6.45pm
- Thursday 7 December at 12pm and 1.15pm.
To book your place at a Safe Riding Skills event or webinar, click here
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