E-scooters have been launched in Princes Risborough this week following big success in High Wycombe and Aylesbury.

The town will have its own supply of up to 20 e-scooters as of today, Monday, May 17.

Residents and shoppers may have seen Buckinghamshire Council and partners Zipp Mobility out and about installing virtual parking bays around the town.

E-scooter trials, which are backed by the Department of Transport, have already been going on in High Wycombe and Aylesbury since last November.

Virtual bays, where e-scooter riders must start and finish their journeys, are located in places like Wycombe Road, Station Road and Woodfield Road.

Buckinghamshire Council's Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability, Ian Thompson said using e-scooters was fast becoming a serious alternative to driving - particularly for short local journeys which might otherwise be done by car.

He said: "Figures so far show a huge take-up in both Aylesbury and High Wycombe with e-scooters already clocking up more than 71,500 miles to date with around 4,000 miles being added every week.

"With each rider covering around two miles per trip and average rental lasting just under 20 minutes, this is just the kind of user statistics we hoped to see.

"While we know e-scootering won't be for everyone, the two current trials have been warmly received.

"It's clear that residents are discovering that e-scooters offer a new, easy and alternative way to get around, whether popping to the shops, getting to and from work or simply for leisure.

"I'm pleased that we can now offer the trial in Princes Risborough and we look forward to hearing what people think."

One of the main aims of the 12-month trial is to evaluate safety, any misuse of e-scooters and bad riding, including incidents of riding on pavements, except where they are designated shared use footways or segregated cycleways.

The rules of use are displayed on each scooter and regular communications are sent to users via the app.

Printed registration numbers are also fitted to the scooters so members of the public can report any misuse.

So far, seven people - three in Aylesbury and four in High Wycombe - have been banned from using the e-scooters.

Ian added: "There is still some way to go before we will know if e-scooters are to become a permanent fixture in our towns and cities, but it's fantastic to be part of this national pilot exploring alternative and more green modes of transport.

"In the longer term this also feeds into our ambition to improve air quality across Buckinghamshire and reduce carbon emissions."

E-scooters are currently only permitted to be used on public roads as part of a registered Government pilot scheme which ensures insurance is in place as part of the hire terms.

It remains illegal to ride a privately-owned e-scooter on any road, pavement, cycle lane or track.