News / Transport
More than 11,000 penalties issued in e-scooter campaign
More than 11,000 penalties have been issued to e-bike and scooter riders since a campaign launched in August.
The West of England Combined Authority and the police and crime commissioner launched the Scoot Safe scheme to promote safety on rental electric vehicles.
The campaign aims to ensure riders both drive and park responsibly, in the hopes that users of rented e-bikes and scooters can share the roads safely with both drivers and pedestrians.
Bristol’s e-bike and e-scooter service provider, Dott, has rolled out fines and penalties for “irresponsible” riding.
These charges includes £10 “poor parking” penalties and fees for parking outside of operating areas.
The Scoot Safe campaign has seen the roll-out of designated e-scooter parking bays – photo: Martin Booth
Helen Godwin, WECA mayor, said: “Scoot Safe emphasises the need for responsible riding and parking across the West.
“We are determined to strike a better balance on our streets and address some valid concerns.
“However people choose to travel, I want to thank everyone who does the right thing on our roads.”
Godwin confirmed that, in the first month of the campaign alone, around 1,400 penalties were issued to Dott users.
This figure, the Combined Authority said, has been “steadily decreasing”.
We know how handy @Dott e-bikes/e-scooters are for some of us, but it’s time for a better balance.
Alongside the Mayor and @AandSPCC‘s new safety campaign, we’ll have more marked parking and new fines/bans for irresponsible riding/parking.#ScootSafe🛴: https://t.co/Msx0OF2U3L pic.twitter.com/wEcZyjtrT1
— West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (@WestofEnglandCA) August 20, 2025
“It’s great to see that, as our campaign reaches more people, less penalties are being issued for bad parking,” Godwin said.
“With the commitment of operator Dott, now almost 99 per cent of their riders park properly without incurring a penalty – helping make our pavements tidier and safer for everyone, including Disabled people.”
Avon and Somerset’s police and crime commissioner, Clare Moody, added: “E-scooters are convenient and a sustainable option for travel, but they must be used safely and within the law.
“Only hire-scooters can be used on public roads and private e-scooters are illegal.
“The Scoot Safe campaign is effectively changing behaviour by making the rules clear and enforcing them, with penalties falling.
“It’s good news to see more riders keeping pedestrians and other road users safe.”
People can now travel via e-scooter or bike in Bristol at any hour of the day – photo: Dott/ Plaster Creative Communications
Dott’s penalty system requires drivers to end their hire rides in designated e-vehicle parking bays, as well as enforcing verification of safe usage with in-app photos.
Iqbal Ahmed, head of public policy UK and Ireland at Dott, said: “Responsibility is at the heart of everything we do.
“We’re delighted to see our users adopting better parking habits, a clear sign that the Scoot Safe campaign is driving better behaviour.
“Responsible parking is a crucial step towards ensuring that everyone can share the road safely.”
Main photo: Susie Long
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