E-Scooter Trial Proposed Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns

Electric Vehicle Operator Calls for E-Scooter Trial in Jersey Following Supportive Report

An electric vehicle operator has urged Jersey to trial e-scooters after a new report recommended legalising their use. Currently, riding electric scooters in public is illegal in Jersey, but a study commissioned by the St Helier Roads Committee highlighted their “notable benefits” and suggested they could be safely integrated into the island's transport system with the right legal and infrastructure changes.

The report, authored by Roads Committee member Bernie Manning, proposes introducing e-scooters under strict safety guidelines, including designated zones and speed limits. The committee is set to review the findings soon.

Nick Perchard-Rees, CEO of local electric car hire company EVie, welcomed the report and called for a trial to help Jersey make an informed decision. “If there's an opportunity to make our roads quieter, safer, make people healthier, surely it's something we should try doing,” he said. He noted that such a scheme would be especially valuable in St Helier and nearby parishes.

Perchard-Rees added that a successful trial would need government backing, especially regarding insurance—an issue that previously led to EVie withdrawing its fleet of electric bicycles.

Bernie Manning, the report's author, argued that Jersey is “far behind” other regions, including the UK, in adopting e-scooter technology. He emphasized their practicality, particularly for people who lack space to store e-bikes, and suggested they could help reduce traffic by getting more people out of their cars. If the Roads Committee supports the proposal, Manning plans to bring it to a parish assembly and then to the States for further consideration.

However, not everyone is convinced. Sarah Highfield, who was seriously injured in 2023 after being hit by an e-scooter while walking her dog, voiced her concerns. The collision left her with a broken leg and spinal fractures, and her dog with lasting trauma.

“Electric scooters are a great way to get around the island, but they need to be regulated,” she said. Highfield called for mandatory safety gear, speed restrictions, and insurance for riders to prevent similar incidents.

Meanwhile, Patrick Kozlowski, owner of a local e-bike shop, acknowledged the growing popularity of electric bikes in Jersey but questioned the suitability of the island’s infrastructure for e-scooters. “We have a lot of narrow pavements,” he said. “It might work if scooters are allowed on roads, but a lot of work needs to be done.”

The Government of Jersey has been contacted for comment.