WHERE TO BUY E-SCOOTERS IN BATH
Written by Ed Wiles, Scootered Founder
Key Points
What is an e-scooter?
Electric scooters (e-scooters), such as those in the new Xiaomi range, are powered transporters suitable for teenagers and adults. They came to prominence in the USA and Europe when scooter hire companies Bird and Lime put thousands of them on urban streets. In 2020, Swedish hire company Voi won the license to rent them in Bath and Bristol, which is due to be extended in 2021. Avon and Somerset Police have previously claimed to not hold information on how they police privately-owend e-scooters, but have since reported seizing 100 e-scooters in Bristol during 2020. It is unclear how many, if any, have been seized in Bath.
Where to buy e-scooters in Bath?
There are very few bricks and mortar stores selling electric scooters in Bath (or elsewhere in the West Country). Halfords is the main store selling them in the city, and their store on Brislington Retail Park has displayed Xiaomi scooters (for viewing only). Argos also sells some cheaper, less well-regarded scooters (as does Halfords) but Argos does not display scooters of course. The other option for Bath residents looking to buy an e-scooter is to buy from an online retailer like Scootered. Of course, you may wish to see or try out an e-scooter before buying one. Voi have been using a modified version of the Ninebot G30, which is very similar to the Xiaomi Pro 2. You may also want to consider visiting London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where Bird is hiring them using the Xiaomi M365, and charging £1 to unlock them. However, both Bird and Lime have been updating their scooters with non-retail bespoke models.
Why Buy From Scootered?
Scootered was founded in 2019 with the aim of offering the best e-scooters at the best prices with a reassuring two-year, UK-based warranty. The southeast has been our biggest market but there is no reason why residents (and students) in Bath should not benefit from our discounted scooters too. At the time or writing, Halfords are selling the Ninebot-Segway ES2 for more than £100 more than us. Of course, if you are buying online you could argue that it does not matter where the company is based and this is essentially true: the most important things to bear in mind are where the stock is held (it is best if the stock is housed in the UK), the warranty offered with the e-scooter and that the company is UK registered (in case something goes wrong).
The Xiaomi 1S
Conclusion
Although more stores selling electric scooters may open in Bath after the lockdown ends, it is also worth noting that High Streets are transforming across the country, including in the West Country, as consumers increasingly purchase goods online. The cost of renting a shop means that real-world retailers must sell at a higher price to cover their costs, which is why so many High Street retailers have failed recently. This is why we believe you will struggle to find a better deal in Bath for well-regarded electric scooters, such as the Xiaomi 1S or the Pro 2. Added to this, you have the peace of mind of dealing with a UK company offering full warranties.