Review: Spin E-scooters in Milton Keynes

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If you’re local to Milton Keynes then you will have no doubt noticed the new Spin e-scooters popping up around the area. Ever the innovative town, Milton Keynes has been selected as the first place in the UK to launch a full-scale trial of these e-scooters which are now available to hire. We tried out the new Spin e-scooters in Milton Keynes at the weekend and wanted to share my experience with you – along with lots of cheesy pics of me swanning around posing in various MK locations. There’s also a free £5 credit code at the end of the post so you can try them too!

Make sure you follow me on Instagram for more MK content @VictoriaJane6

Spin is owned by Ford and their e-scooters are reliable, green and convenient and provide an alternative to cars and public transport. Milton Keynes was selected as a trial area due to the famous “redways” (shared pedestrian and cycle paths) which provide great connectivity across the town.

So.. how does it work?

To take a trip, you simply download the Spin app on your smartphone and then use the map to locate your nearest scooter. It will show you exactly where they are located and how much battery they have remaining. Once you’ve found a scooter, you just use the app to scan the QR code and start your ride!

Spin E-scooters in Milton Keynes

We located our scooters on the app and started our journey from 12th Street behind the theatre, just outside Revolucion De Cuba. But there are loads of e-scooters in Milton Keynes if you take a look at the map on the app. It was very quick and easy to get started and we were on our way within a minute! I was a little bit nervous about using the scooter as I wasn’t sure if I would get on with it, but they are so simple to use and I felt confident riding it within a couple of minutes after a slow test ride in a deserted subway.

To get going you kind of have to push yourself off a bit and press down the ‘Go’ trigger on the right hand side and then it will power up. They go up to 15mph so they’re quite speedy! The brake and bell is on the left hand side, and there’s also a light at the front.

We started our journey by riding through Campbell Park and up to the Beacon of Light on the hill. It was such a lovely sunny day so it was great to get some views from up there. It was slightly uphill along this route but it wasn’t a problem at all for the scooters – they kept on going even at an incline. We also went over a couple of grassy areas which were also fine. We then visited a few other iconic MK landmarks before stopping off at TheCentre:MK for some lunch.

When you want to end your ride you just park up your scooter and tap “End Ride” on your app. Then you submit a photo of where you’ve parked the scooter it just so they knew where it is, although of course the scooters are all GPS tracked. You can park the e-scooters practically anywhere, however please don’t leave them blocking footpaths, driveways, bus stops etc.

How much does it cost?

The Spin e-scooters are available to hire for 25p per minute. There are no setup costs or unlock fees during the trial.

Where can the scooters be used in Milton Keynes?

They can be used on MK’s Redways, as well as on minor estate roads. E-scooters are not permitted on roads where the speed limit is over 30mph. Since July 4, it has been legal to ride a trial scooter on roads, cycle paths and cycle lanes but not on footpaths (the pavement). You also obviously can’t use the scooters through the shopping centres, Xscape etc. If you go too close to an area which is in red on the map, the scooter will automatically stop working and it tells you off (quite loudly!). Although some areas are marked red but you can ride there, just not park there.

Who can use an e-scooter in Milton Keynes?

Are they safe to use?

There’s been a lot of debate around this recently and discussion in the news, but in my opinion they are no more dangerous than a bicycle. A cycle helmet is recommended but not compulsory, so it’s up to you if you choose to wear one or not.

Personally I’m not sure that I’d want to use one on an actual road, but then again I probably wouldn’t want to cycle on a CMK road either. As long as you’re sensible, have control over your speed and don’t ride close to others, I believe it is as safe as cycling. One thing to bear in mind is that they are very quiet to use, so pedestrians won’t hear you coming up behind them, so give your bell a little toot and be polite and say thank you.

£5 free Spin e-scooter credit

Use code GAVINSHURY or VICTORIAJANE on the app to get £5 free credit so you can test the scooters too!

Make sure you follow me on Instagram for more MK content @VictoriaJane6

We had so much fun on the Spin e-scooters in Milton Keynes – we were zipping around for over 2 hours! They’re so easy to use and such a unique thing to be able to enjoy on our doorstep. I really hope that the trial runs successfully and that people are sensible so that this could become a permanent thing in MK and beyond! Definitely give it a try if you’re local!