Take a look back at some of the major incidents involving Voi -escooters in Northampton since they were brought in three years ago.
Voi e-scooters have become a divisive topic in the town over the last three years, with some in favour of the green-friendly scheme and others absolutely detesting the extra traffic on the roads.
Following calls to suspend the controversial three-year Voi e-scooter trials, this newspaper has highlighted some of the major incidents that have fuelled these calls.
Incidents include deaths, transportation used prior to a murder, life-changing injuries, road traffic collisions and more.
Opposition councillor Emma Roberts (Rushmere and Delapre) recently said: “I genuinely believe that now is the time that we must do something about the scooter trials in Northampton. We’ve seen significant injury, significant waste, and significant damage.”
West Northants Council recently passed a motion for the e-scooter issue to be re-examined by a scrutiny board. They are to come back with recommendations in early 2024, before the Voi contract ends in May.
The trial was first launched in September 2020, with Voi recently announcing that their e-scooters have been used for about three million trips across the town in that time frame.
In December 2022, Voi’s trial across the county was extended by the company and Northamptonshire’s councils until May 2024.
Click through our gallery to look back at some of the major incidents involving Voi e-scooters in Northampton.
5. Three years of Voi e-scooter trials in Northampton
An e-scooter rider in his 20s suffered "potentially life-changing injuries" after colliding with a car in Northampton town centre on September 22, 2021. Police revealed the rider of a rented Voi scooter was taken to University Hospital Coventry following the incident in Bailiff Street at around 7.45pm. Police have been asked for an update regarding the investigation. Photo: Logan MacLeod
6. Three years of Voi e-scooter trials in Northampton
Stuart Johnson, aged 50, was riding a Voi electric scooter in Weedon Road on Friday, January 13 at 5.45pm when he was hit by a delivery driver turning left at the Spencer Bridge Road junction. He said: “The driver overtook me and turned left straight across me." Stuart spent nearly three weeks in Northampton General Hospital and University Coventry Hospital where he had two operations to fix his broken leg before he was discharged on January 31. Looking back on the incident, Stuart said: “I was using the scooter in the right and proper manner when the accident happened. It could happen to anyone. I wasn’t superstitious but I am now. I’m lucky to be alive. I could have quite easily rolled underneath this car or the car behind him. It was close. To get away with a broken leg is lucky." Stuart called on Voi and the council to introduce more safety features as part of the scheme. Photo: -
7. Three years of Voi e-scooter trials
A man in his 30s riding a Voi scooter in Northampton town centre was in collision with a black Toyota Avensis on September 22, 2022. The scooter rider was hospitalised with serious injuries after colliding with the car at 12.20pm in Black Lion Hill, at the junction with St Andrews Road and Marefair. No arrests were made. Photo: Logan MacLeod
8. Three years of Voi e-scooter trials in Northampton
Ashley Potter, from Little Billing, was on the way back from picking his son up from school on in September 2022 at around when his Voi scooter's handlebars “snapped” while crossing a road in Weston Favell. The 30-year-old dad said "As I got into the middle of the road the handle bar snapped. I fell to the floor, smashed my face off the kerb and smashed my teeth. I'm never going to use them again. Never. I think they should take them out of use completely or until Voi finds a stronger way of constructing it." A Voi spokesman confirmed the incident and said it is currently in the process of investigating it. The spokesman said: “Safety is our number one priority, and we take all incidents involving our riders seriously." Photo: --