E-scooters make return to Warwick two years after initial failed trial

E-scooters have returned to the University of Warwick, nearly two years after an initial trial was discontinued in June 2023.

Over 50 e-scooters, operated through the West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme, are available to rent across campus via the Beryl mobile app.

The e-scooters can only be used within the University, in Cannon Park, and on Westwood Way.

Students who wish to use the e-scooters must have a valid full or provisional UK driving licence, be at least 18 years old, and have registered via the Beryl App.

These requirements have raised concerns among international students who aren’t able to meet the requirements to hire the scooters.

Ryan Zhang, a second-year Computer Science student told The Boar: “I think it’s total overkill because you’re going in the same lane as a bike (which doesn’t have requirements) and pedestrians, so you should not require additional documents for that.”

I really like e-scooters, and I am glad to see them back on campus. It’ll make going to Tesco more convenient for me and many other students alike

Manny, first-year student

Other students, however, have been celebrating the return of e-scooters on campus, two years after a VOI-operated trial was discontinued.

Manny, a first-year student, praised their return: “I really like e-scooters, and I am glad to see them back on campus. It’ll make going to Tesco more convenient for me and many other students alike.”

Beryl, who operate the rental scooters, have installed ‘Go-Slow Zones’ around the University grounds, which limit the speed of the e-scooters in busy pedestrian areas, such as the square outside Senate House. All e-scooters are also capped at a top of speed of 12.5 miles per hour.

Despite the reintroduction of e-scooters at Warwick, the University has warned students that privately-owned e-scooters “will not be tolerated on campus” as they do not meet the University’s legal requirements.

The rental scooters can be unlocked via the Beryl app for an unlock fee of £1, with an additional 20p charge per minute hired

The University also warned staff against using the rental e-scooters for business purposes, as they are not covered under staff insurance.

The rental scooters can be unlocked via the Beryl app for an unlock fee of £1, with an additional 20p charge per minute hired, meaning the first hour of scooter rental costs £13.

Beryl also offer ‘Minute Bundles’ allowing users to access 100 minutes of e-scooter usage for £16 – a saving of £4, plus the unlock fee of £1.

Day passes are also available for £9. The day passes remove the unlock fee and decreases the hire price to 15p per minute. They can also be used on the hire pedal bikes and e-bikes available on campus.