A NEW video has been released to show Southampton residents how to safely rent and ride the city's e-scooters.

Southampton City Council, with the support of e-scooter company Voi, has launched a new safety video explaining how riders renting e-scooters can keep safe travelling throughout the city.

As the popularity of renting e-scooters rises across the city with nearly 160,000 rides so far, the council and Voi have said that safety is a "top priority".

The safety video is a reminder for those wanting to experience this new and fun mode of transport to act, think and ride safely.

The video highlights important safety messages, such as riders should wear a helmet, how to park responsibly in dedicated racks, and that using a private e-scooter in public spaces is illegal, unlike renting a Voi.

Riders must be 18 and over and hold a valid provisional or full drivers licence.

Users should wear a helmet and only use roads or cycle lanes as riding on the pavement is illegal.

Fines and penalty points can be added to a riders drivers licence when rules are not followed.

It is forbidden for more than one person to ride on an e-scooter.

Voi has a 'reaction time test' feature which discourages drunk-riding, and should a rider fail the test, they are presented with a Google search for local taxis.

‘Drink-riding’ is illegal and if caught intoxicated, riders face arrest by the police.

There are over 147 racks around the city to safely park your e-scooter after using it.

Riders who park incorrectly, and cause inconvenience to others, could receive a fine.

Voi encourages everyone to report instances of anti-social behaviour or misuse via the “Report a Scooter” page: www.voiscooters.com/report/uk, so appropriate action can be taken. Users face temporary or permanent bans if they do not ride responsibly.

Police Constable Chris Hollis, Southampton Central’s Neighbourhood team, said: “We know that since the start of the trial, e-scooters have had a positive impact on many people who live and work in Southampton, providing them with a more convenient and greener method of transport around the city.

"However, e-scooters are a fairly new device, and with that come challenges around education on the legal requirements needed to use them and keep everyone safe.

"There is currently no lawful way to register, tax, or insure a privately owned e-scooter, which means that riding anything other than a rental scheme e-scooter on a public road, pavement or other public areas, even if it is included in a rental scheme trial location, is a road traffic offence.

"Anyone seen illegally using an e-scooter could be issued with a fine, receive points on their licence and have the scooter seized."