Hitachi donates scooters for Wiltshire schools safety sessions

Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions is supporting Wiltshire Council’s Scooter Skills initiative by donating five scooters for its county-wide safety sessions.

The Trowbridge-based commercial vehicles arm of Hitachi Capital will contribute three Osprey Poison PRO and two Osprey 360° Chrome Freestyle stunt scooters for the initiative, which will be offered to primary schools across Wiltshire.

The Scooter Skills safety sessions, run by Wiltshire Council’s road safety team, will highlight how the county’s younger pupils can safely navigate busy pavements, stop quickly and stay alert of moving vehicles and other road hazards when out and about.

The one hour sessions will also advise where pupils can perform tricks and stunts in safe areas, essential safety equipment they should wear, and how to keep their scooter in good working order. Osprey stunt scooters were selected over foldable equivalents due to their safety credentials.

On completion of the safety sessions, young pupils across Wiltshire are awarded a certificate to recognise their achievement and knowledge of safe, responsible scooting.

Jonathan Southall, marketing business partner at Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions, said: “We are delighted to donate five Osprey scooters to Wiltshire Council’s Scooter Skills safety initiative. The work they carry out to educate children on how to stay safe is crucial as it’s the first transport with wheels they will have control of, regardless of type and size. Their safety and that of others is dependent on decisions they make as a driver and we look forward to working further with Wiltshire Council, continuing to promote and support safer driving in the future.”

Judith Billingham, road safety education manager at Wiltshire Council, added: “I’d like to thank Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions for donating five scooters, which will help our vital role of educating younger pupils on our key safety messages.

“It is important we instil a positive attitude towards general road safety as Wiltshire’s youngsters become more independent while using their scooters, either on the way to and from school or in the county’s parks.”