New checks for Salford escooters after complaints over joyriding

Electric scooters will be harder to hire after the company that runs the scheme responded to pressure to tackle anti-social behavior involving the two-wheeled vehicles.

Reports of young people misusing the scooters in the Salford Quays area led to Councilor Jonathan Moore requesting that the processes for renting the scooters are stricter.

Councilor Moore, of the Merchants Quay Residents Association and Salford Quays Community Forum said: “The antisocial behavior 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.”

Councilor 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 license, 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 leaving the scooters laid on the floor at the bus stop.

Aiming to identify the offenders and deter other young people, Salford City council are also planning to install a new CCTV system enhanced with AI making it easier to identify individuals.

Lily Roper, a Salford local agrees that needing a provisional driver’s license helps reduce anti-social behavior but says it won’t eliminate it.

However, she also stated this element could reduce the accessibility for the people who use them responsibly: “My friend has epilepsy so she can’t even get a provisional license 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 in Manchester to promote safer riding”.

The Lime scooter trial began in October 2022 and has been extended to 31st 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 out visit the Lime or Uber app, but remember to use them responsibly.