E-SCOOTER riders have made more than 1,300 trips so far - despite strict lockdown restrictions. 

The e-scooter trial in Basildon, which began in December, has seen every vehicle travel a minimum of 50km so far, new data has revealed.

Seventy scooters were rolled out by Essex County Council and Spin, which was the first trial to be launched in Essex.  

But Councillor Craig Rimmer, of the Pitsea south east ward, says he has yet to see any of the bright orange scooters being used in the town.

And Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, expressed concerns at the amount of unofficial and illegal e-scooters being ridden around Basildon.

He said: “I haven’t seen many of them being used either. 

“I do see clusters of them with nobody touching them.

“My opinion of the trial hasn’t changed. I still have safety concerns but there has yet to be an accident as part of the trial.

“Once we’re out of lockdown, we will truly see the realisation of the trial.”

The data, collated from Spin’s mobile app used to unlock the scooters, shows how each scooter has been used 19 times since the trial began on December 7.

As part of the scheme, NHS workers have been given free access to the transport.

Mr Rimmer said: “Connectivity does need to improve in Pitsea, and the scooters can be a big part of that.

“There’s a real danger with people using the unofficial ones. 

“An elderly gentleman was really frightened after a boy was riding at him out of control.

“I would urge people to use Spin’s scooters if they want to travel on an e-scooter.

“They would be helpful for reducing the school run traffic in the future.”

But Mr Smith added: “Using the scooters on the school run would only work with one parent and a child. What if you’re a single parent with three kids.”

A spokesman from Spin, added: “Since launching in early December 2020, riders in Basildon have made over 1,300 trips and ridden nearly 3,500 km across the town.

"Our current operations include 70 scooters in Basildon”.