Electric scooters will be harder to hire after the company that runs the scheme responded to pressure to tackle anti-social behaviour involving the two-wheeled vehicles.
Reports of young people misusing the scooters in the Salford Quays area led to Councillor Jonathan Moore requesting stricter processes for renting them.
Councillor Moore, of the Merchants Quay Residents Association and Salford Quays Community Forum, said: “The antisocial behaviour relating to the Lime scooters takes a number of different forms such as joyriding up and down the Quays Road late at night adjacent to residential homes and joyriding in the Quayside Shopping Centre.”
Cllr Moore also said: “This has been an ongoing issue for some time and has resulted in me having a series of meetings with Lime and the council, to resolve matters. I’m pleased to confirm that a number of changes are being made.”
New riders will be required to scan their driver’s licence. They must also provide video evidence proving that they match the given ID.
There are also plans to add an additional drop-off point between the Alchemist and Media City tram stop. This plan was put into place after realising that users are abandoning scooters by the bus stop.
Salford City council is also planning to install a new CCTV system enhanced with AI making it easier to identify individuals and deter abuse.
Salford resident Lily Roper agreed that needing a provisional driver’s licence would help to reduce anti-social behaviour but thinks it wouldn’t eliminate it.
And she was concerned that the move would limit the accessibility for the people who use them responsibly.
She said: “My friend has epilepsy so she can’t even get a provisional licence so she can’t go on them, which sucks.”
She added: “In France if you hire out a scooter with proof of a helmet it makes your ride cheaper. This could be a good thing to put in place to promote safer riding.”
The Lime scooter trial began in October 2022 and has been extended to May 2026. Salford is currently the only place that offers Lime scooters as a mode of transport.
To find the closest parking dock and to hire a scooter visit the Lime or Uber app.
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