The city's only e-scooter sharing scheme has insisted its electric fleet is safe amid another bus ban over serious health concerns.

Earlier this week Konectbus announced that e-scooters and e-unicycles are no longer allowed onto its buses due to "increased safety risks".

This comes following reported incidents of defective lithium-ion batteries which combusted and released toxic fumes, according to the transport company, banning the machines for the safety of the passengers.

Beryl has since stated its e-scooters and e-bikes undergo strict assessments to ensure they pose no danger of hurting riders or anyone else.

Norwich Evening News: Konectbus has banned e-scooters from its vehiclesKonectbus has banned e-scooters from its vehicles (Image: Konectbus)

A spokesman said: "For us, safety is paramount and we constantly review our schemes and processes to ensure they are being delivered as effectively as possible.

"This includes the supply and use of lithium batteries in our electric vehicles, which are subject to a number of measures to ensure their safe operation, storage and disposal."

Similarly to Konectbus, First Bus does not permit e-scooters on its vehicles and hasn't for several years.

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This may help to promote the use of Beryl scooters, however.

The spokesman added: "The popularity of our schemes, especially in Norwich, prove that when planned correctly with local authorities and stakeholders and with the safety of users and pedestrians treated as paramount, electric vehicles can offer convenient, clean and inexpensive travel.

Norwich Evening News: Beryl insists its e-scooters are safeBeryl insists its e-scooters are safe (Image: Beryl)

"They can also help ease the burden on transport networks, especially for short journeys, but it's important that people recognise the difference between such schemes and the private vehicles that are often bought online and without standardisation."

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As one of the government's trial e-scooter areas, they are legal to rent and ride around the city so long as a driving license is provided.

The use of e-scooters on public roads outside trial areas remains illegal, however, with privately owned scooters under threat of seizure if ridden on public highways. 

Konectbus runs the city's park and ride system alongside its various routes across the county.