Fears had been raised over scooters being driven dangerously on pavements. There were also claims drug dealers were using the scooters to make deliveries. One Colchester resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said a recent trial to introduce rentable e-scooters in the town had led to a rise in dangerous riding. In February, Spin launched its public hire e-scooter trial in Colchester. The resident said: “Using electric power for single person transportation is overall a good concept. “However, it requires to be carefully blended into society if everyone is going to be willing to accept it.” He added: “I have already seen many individuals riding the Spin scooters on the pavements, mainly on Turner Road and nearby Mill Road.
In guidance on its website, Essex Police point out the Spin e-scooters look different to private scooters, sporting an orange band around the bar. Any e-scooter which is not part of this trial remains illegal to use other than on privately owned land. The trial scooters also have technology embedded in them which will cut the engine if they are taken out of the prescribed area. In July last year, university student Joy Singarajah, 23 appeared at Ipswich Crown Court charged with drugs supply offences. The court heard he had been using an electric scooter to deliver the drugs in Colchester.