Electric scooters launch in Hartlepool as part of national trial

People looking for an alternative way to get to where they need to be quickly, can now hire one of 20 e-scooters from three locations across the town.

Community interest company Hartlepower is running the scheme in town after the regional pilot was secured by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and the combined authority.

Supplied by the company Ginger, the scooters use Segway technology, and are available to hire from the Community Hub Central (central library) in York Road, Church Square and Seaton Carew’s clock tower.

Peter Gowland of Hartlepower said: “It’s a first for Teesside. They have proved really popular in Middlesbrough where they launched last month and people can start hiring them now in Hartlepool.

“People have been using them to go to work. Instead of waiting for a train or bus they can just hop on and scoot away.

"Or you could get on one at Seaton, go to the town centre to do some shopping for example.

"As an organisation we are very interested in clean energy schemes and alternative futuristic transport models and this fits in with that.”

The e-scooters can be used anywhere you can legally ride a bicycle after a change in the law but not on pavements.

Riders must be over 18 and hold at least a provisional driving licence, and helmets are strongly advised.

They cost £2 for 20 minutes and carry public liability and personal accident insurance.

To hire one, people must first download the Ginger app and scan a QR code.

Mayor Ben Houchen said: “E-scooters are another example of how we’re doing things differently in the region and how we’re positioning ourselves at the forefront of clean energy and developing the technologies of the future, which is crucial for my plan for good quality, high skilled local jobs for local workers.

"Once again, here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, we are leading the way for the rest of the UK to follow.”

For more information and to download the app, go to www.ginger.town

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