BRITAIN'S first e-scooter training programme has been launched in Bournemouth.

Operated by scooter hire provider Beryl, the programme helps to promote road safety and practical skills.

The first session for riders has taken place at the Kings Park Cycle Centre in Bournemouth.

Since the Department for Transport’s e-Scooter trial began in July 2020, it’s estimated more than two million journeys have been taken via e-Scooter sharing fleets.

Research has shown they are replacing many short car journeys.

Beryl’s e-Scooter skills training programme, designed with Bikeworks and supported by the Bikeability Trust, is providing practical training sessions as well as a digitised programme that ensures riders are sufficiently educated and skilled to use e-Scooters.

The training sessions in Bournemouth are being run in conjunction with BCP Council.

Beryl has worked with Bikeworks to create an e-Scooter equivalent of the National Standard for Cycle Training, which will be digitised so all Beryl users have complimentary access to complete the e-Scooter safety training.

All Beryl e-Scooter users will be offered discounted minute bundles as an incentive to participate in the digitised training programme, also hosted within Beryl’s free to download app.

The e-Scooter skills training programme will educate users on riding technique, general behaviour, compliance with the Highway Code and how to minimise risks whilst riding. Bikeability’s quality assurance system means the programme will be delivered to the highest standard.

Beryl CEO Phil Ellis said: "e-Scooters have proven to be a valuable contribution in the way they can help us travel around urban areas. As we continue to encourage people to leave their personal motor vehicles at home for short journeys, we should also offer them the opportunity to ride confidently on e-Scooters."

Beryl was selected by the Department for Transport to provide trial e-Scooter schemes across Bournemouth, Poole, Norwich and the Isle of Wight.

The schemes include 330 e-Scooters which have completed more than 750,000k since launch.

To date 93 per cent of all e-Scooter journeys end in a Beryl Bay, ensuring the scheme is beneficial to users and not impacting on the wider community.

For more information go to beryl.cc