Superpedestrian e-scooters disappear from UK streets

Since mid-December, the iconic green and grey scooters have been absent from their usual parking positions in the East Midlands.

Whilst they are most associated with Nottingam, due to their prevalence all over the city, the company also operated in Derby.

They were in the former as part of the app-hire scheme, with over 1,000 e-scooters available at the scan of a QR code. Derby meanwhile had 50 e-scooters available for "long-term hire".

It was reported in the US that the company is closing down due to "financial" reasons, and was seeking to sell it's European activities.

Despite private e-scooters being illegal to ride on public roads (albeit with relaxed enforcement), the Superpedestrian scooters found in Nottingham were part of a government trial which allowed for some local authorities to implement rental schemes.

The trial has been repeatedly extended since it was introduced in 2020, and is currently set to expire in May 2024.

As of 3 January 2024, Nottingham and Derby have been removed from the list of areas where trials are taking place.

Due to this, there are now only 22 officially-listed places where trials are ongoing.

Nottingham City Council have stated they will begin the procurement process to host a new e-scooter supplier.

Ben Mellor