Competitive debut in London of electric scooters with a mission to promote sustainability and safer city life
Pic credit – Daily Sabah
Following a competitive debut in London, the organizers of the world’s first electric scooter series say they are on a mission to promote and develop micro-mobility as a safe and integrated part of city life.
Khalil Beschir, one of the eSkootr Championship’s founders, saw a role similar to motorsport in the early days of automobiles.
The Lebanese entrepreneur and former car racer was quoted. “Yes, we are creating a new sport; we are creating a sport that is accessible,” He further stated, “we have a mission to assist governments and cities in developing safe drivers and working with cities to use these scooters in the right way.”
“This is where cars used to be in 1910,” he said, referring to the influx of electric scooters on city streets four or five years ago.
When it was initially introduced in the market people didn’t appreciate it much and criticized it badly. The series, however, has established its own commission, led by Wurz, with the aim of “regulating and encouraging safe and sustainable firearms use, micro-mobility in sports, and urban micro-mobility” as its main purpose.
“We think we have a really strong product,” Wurz, who began working on the concept in 2018, told Reuters at the first race, which was held in a former newspaper printing house in London Docklands.
E-scooters are considered on a more risky end in comparison to bicycles or other vehicles and being warned regarding its speed limit but it’s more friendly on a financial basis.
Electric scooters are ubiquitous in London, however, they are still only permissible on private property or through authorized rental networks, despite the government’s announcement that new rules will be implemented to widen their use.
Wurz described the number of interesting cities and parties who had contacted the ESC as “incredible,” and said he hoped to have an impact on urban design. “In the future, some of our streets will become homes, shared areas where people can promenade, ride bicycles, and ride electric scooters, and we’ll all have to be together,” he added.
The eSkootr machines, which are driven by 30 drivers from ten teams, weigh around 40 kg and have two six-kW motors, capable of reaching speeds of over 100 km/h.
The tires consist of vegetable oil, and the grip allows male and female drivers to lean 60 degrees into corners – from snowboarding and ice skating to hockey, cycling, and motorcycling.
Reports further stated that consisting of 30 riders this championship was won by Matis Neyroud of Switzerland where he won the first lap of the 470-meter circuit, ahead of Dan Brooks of the United Kingdom and Anish Shetty of India.
Other events will take place in Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, and the United States, with Asia and Africa likely to be included next season.
On the sports streaming platform DAZN, a global broadcasting agreement was negotiated to allow competitions to be televised in over 200 countries.
“I’m optimistic. Everyone I’ve told about it and who has seen it loves it,” says Wruz.
Tre Whyte, Britain’s past bronze medallist at the BMX World Championships, remarked, “It’s going to be exciting. And he can’t resist falling for it .”
During a press conference to announce the championship, Khalil Basir stated that data from the series would be used to build better safety devices for riders and improve electric scooter technology. They also intend to test ways to securely integrate electric scooters into public roads.
Wruz stated that it is both an opportunity as well as a responsibility to use racing for the promotion of the tiny mobility industry,” This is quite exciting. We can take a holistic approach to sport, education, and micro-mobility here.” Micro-mobility is a phenomenon that is affecting all of our cities throughout the world. Because it is not properly legislated, it can be problematic at times. It has a poor image at times, but that was the case with the automobile industry.
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