Beryl bikes are already helping residents to get around town, but could rentable e-scooters soon be seen on the streets of Watford? 

A task group is being set up at Watford Borough Council to examine the pros and cons of adding electric scooters to the existing bike hire scheme, which has seen over 347,000 journeys since it was set up in 2020.

The borough council said the devices could help to reduce vehicle emissions, ease congestion and provide independent transport options, but also run the risk of antisocial behaviour, according to documents for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting next Wednesday (September 18).

Private e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads.Private e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads. It is currently illegal to use a private electronic scooter on public roads as the devices fall under the “powered transporters” category according to Herts Police, which means riders must have a licence, insurance and tax.

As it is not currently possible to insure an e-scooter, riders on public roads risk having them seized under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The current Beryl bike zone in Watford and Bushey.The current Beryl bike zone in Watford and Bushey. (Image: Beryl)

Watford Borough Council said extending the hire options to include scooters could reduce the scheme’s cost in the long term and introduce more options for “active travel”.

But their introduction would also depend on changes to the law as they are currently only legal to use as part of a government-approved trial, which are currently taking place in 22 local authorities from 2020 until May 2026.

Watford's Beryl bikes have seen over 347,000 journeys since the scheme was set up in 2020.Watford's Beryl bikes have seen over 347,000 journeys since the scheme was set up in 2020. (Image: Beryl) The group of councillors will meet through October and November to examine the issue before presenting a report to the scrutiny committee next January and to the cabinet in February 2025.

They will consider the impact of the current scheme, whether the town's road would allow for scooter hire and the outcomes of trials in other towns.

Beryl currently operates in 21 areas around England with e-scooters only available in three regions: Norwich, the West Midlands, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The borough council said the town's Beryl bikes were a "popular" service and had caused a shift away from private car usage and demonstrates the health benefits of "active travel".  

Two hundred bikes and a further 100 e-bikes are available across Watford and Bushey, with Croxley Green set to join the scheme next year.