Derby: City's e-scooters stopped after firm halts UK operation

Derby's e-scooter scheme has been halted after the US parent company behind it withdrew from the market, it has been confirmed.

Superpedestrian ran e-scooter trials in both Derby and Nottingham, two of many areas taking part in a pilot scheme funded by the government.

Nottingham City Council confirmed in December that Superpedestrian had halted its UK operations.

Its e-scooters are now being collected from people who had hired them.

Derby City Council said it was working with Nottingham City Council to consider options "for potential future e-scooter schemes".

A spokesperson for Derby City Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We have been informed that Superpedestrian has closed its UK operations, which includes its trial e-scooter subscription scheme in Derby.

"We understand Superpedestrian is in the process of recovering e-scooters from subscription users and refunding any credit on their accounts."

The council-run trial vehicles are legal to use on roads, but it is not currently possible to get insurance for privately-owned e-scooters, making them illegal to use on the road or in public spaces in the UK.

According to the city council's website, Derby had 50 e-scooters available for long-term hire, with the cost of a rental scooter charged at £30 a month or £360 a year. A separate £50 refundable deposit was also required for the delivery of the vehicle.

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