Warning after e-scooter 'parked' on top of Seaburn bus shelter

A photograph, taken by a Sunderland resident, shows one of the orange e-scooters placed upright on top of a bus shelter at around 7.45pm on Sunday, June 20.

Users are now being reminded that anyone found to be using the e-scooters inappropriately can have their account suspended, points on their driving licence or further action taken against them.

The first of 300 e-scooters were deployed across the city from Wednesday, March 31, as part of a 12-month trial.

Operated by Neuron Mobility in partnership with Sunderland City Council, the e-scooter trial looks to provide ‘safe, socially-distanced and environmentally-friendly transport’.

Members of the public can report any issues with riding and parking to Neuron Mobility’s customer support team through the app, by calling 0191 743 0074 or emailing [email protected].

A spokesman for Neuron Mobility said: “Overwhelmingly we’ve had great feedback and support from the community and the vast majority of Sunderland’s users have been riding in a responsible and safe manner, however there are always a few exceptions.

“We were made aware of this incident however the e-scooter has now been retrieved.

“Neuron takes parking compliance very seriously, and this is covered clearly in the riding rules to which every Neuron user agrees before using our service. To remind and encourage them there are stickers on the e-scooters, in-app messages, voice guidance, education events, safety ambassadors on the ground, and also incentives for responsible parking and helmet use.

"While we can’t eliminate bad parking and riding entirely, we continue to introduce measures to reduce it as much as possible.”

All e-scooters have a topple detection feature which uses GPS to alert the operations team if they have been left on their side and the operator says reports of bad parking are prioritised.

A spokeswoman for Sunderland City Council added: “We are aware of this incident and it was reported to the e-scooter’s operator, Neuron.

"We would like to remind riders that everyone who uses the e-scooters agrees to adhere to rules, and anyone found to be using them irresponsibly can have their account suspended, points on their driving licence or further action taken against them.”

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