THE company appointed by Redditch Borough Council to deliver e-scooters after their successful active travel bid has been revealed.

The micro-mobility operator Bird has teamed up with the council to bring affordable, environmentally-friendly e-scooters to the town.

Redditch is one of a handful of boroughs that will take part in a 12-month electric scooter pilot after the Department for Transport gave the green light on Monday.

The council and Bird share the mission of making the town less reliant on cars, helping to cut congestion and harmful emissions.

The company aims to solve the 'last mile’ problem, where journeys are too short for public transport to be efficient, but too long to walk.

The trial is also aimed at helping people get around town while remaining socially distant from others.

Bird currently operates in more than 100 cities across the globe and their scooters are GPS enabled so the company can keep track of the scooters and ensure they are ridden and parked correctly.

All riders must hold a provisional or full drivers’ licence and be over 18 before they can ride.

The company has also worked with the council to 'geofence' areas where the scooters will not be able to access, such as major roads and shopping centres.

They will also host safe riding events where free helmets will be given away to riders.

Cllr Matt Dormer, leader of Redditch Borough Council, said: “We are proud to be joining forces with Bird to revolutionise the way residents and visitors travel around the borough.

"Our part in the e-scooter trials will help shape the future of environmentally friendly modes of travel for the whole of the UK and put our Worcestershire town on the map.

"This is just another way we are unlocking the potential for the borough and I know that our partnership with this innovative and industry leading organisation will help us reach success.

"I can’t wait to see the scheme start to take shape in the coming weeks.”

Caroline Hazlehurst, Head of EMEA operations, Bird said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to provide our services in Redditch and to help the town meet its safety and sustainability goals.

"Our industry leading electric scooters will help to revolutionise the way people get about the town.

"One of the biggest issues modern towns and cities face is increasing congestion and decreasing air quality.

"Bird’s mission is to partner with communities to help solve these problems by getting people out of cars and onto environmentally friendly sharable electric scooters. We’re very much looking forward to launching in the coming weeks.”

Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch and Transport Minister said: “The trials of rental e-scooters starting in Redditch could offer cleaner, efficient and more affordable travel for local communities.

“Learning from trials already taking place, those in Redditch will see strict safety measures introduced - including license verification and responsible parking incentives, while also helping us better understand any impacts on public spaces.”