Councillors are set to consider launching a tightly controlled e-scooter rental trial across several Dorset towns, with a report going before the Place and Resources Overview Committee on 4 June 2026. The proposals could see shared e-scooters introduced in Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland, Chickerell, Corfe Mullen and Upton, as part of a government-approved scheme designed to offer residents an alternative to short car journeys.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said the trial could open up more transport choices while helping the council hit its net zero targets five years early, by 2035 rather than 2040. To address worries about misuse and safety, the scheme would come with strict rules including speed limits, GPS-enforced no-ride zones, designated parking, and a requirement for all riders to hold a valid driving licence. Operators would carry out active monitoring and face penalties for any breaches, with all scooters insured and maintained at their cost.
If councillors back the idea and the Department for Transport gives the green light, the trial would work differently across the county. In Corfe Mullen and Upton it would be rolled out as an extension of the existing Beryl Bike scheme, while a separate third-party contractor would be found to run scooters in Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and Chickerell. Neighbouring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has already run a similar trial with operator Beryl since January 2021, with thousands of journeys completed.
The proposals acknowledge that disability groups have raised serious problems around enforcement, parking and the effect on disabled people, and the report sets out measures such as defined riding areas and ongoing talks to try to lessen those impacts. Any final decision would need sign-off from the council’s Cabinet at a later date, and the council has made clear the trial could be altered or pulled entirely if significant issues arise.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
