E Scooters 7 August 2019 at 4:02PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Public Transport & Cycling 6 replies 2.3K views

laserbeam

I have just been up the town for some shopping and whilst walking around saw two young lads aged no more than 16 I would say riding these E scooters on the main road and going into the bus lane and wearing no protective clothing.Certainly no tax,no insurance and of course no licence.What would happen if they caused a serious accident ie knocked someone over or damaged a car who pays for the cost.These things are illegal to ride on roads and pavements but nothing is done and wont be untill something serious is done about it. .Love to hear what others think..

Xbigman

Who would pay? In theory under the age of 18 you would sue the parents. In reality you better have insurance that covers it or you'll be paying for it yourself.

My opinion on EScooters? Ban them completely.
I have an Ebike that has lots of restrictions appropriate to the vehicle. EScooters would also need appropriate restrictions. To be legal on the pavement they would need to be restricted to 4 mph. This is the same speed that invalid carriages on a pavement and my Ebikes walker mode is restricted to, so it's a known quantity. An Escooter restricted to 4 mph is no fun and certainly would get few takers when costing 100's of pounds.
If allowed on the road the restriction could be anywhere between 8 mph and 15.5 mph. The lower end of that range and they would be downright dangerous. The slower a bicycle travels the more likely they are to get hit by a motor vehicle (women ride slower than men which is why a disproportionate number of cycling accidents involve women). At the upper end of that range the short wheel base and high centre of gravity are the problem. Slam the brakes on at 15.5 mph and you plant your face into the road.
The simple fact is that EScooters are an oddity in the transport infrastructure that aren't suited to any area of use.
Ban them.



Darren

pooch

laserbeam wrote: »

I have just been up the town for some shopping and whilst walking around saw two young lads aged no more than 16 I would say riding these E scooters on the main road and going into the bus lane and wearing no protective clothing.Certainly no tax,no insurance and of course no licence.What would happen if they caused a serious accident ie knocked someone over or damaged a car who pays for the cost.These things are illegal to ride on roads and pavements but nothing is done and wont be untill something serious is done about it. .Love to hear what others think..

Nothing being done?
By whom?

For example, have you provided police with sufficient evidence of an offence being commited including the identification of those involved?

Just a couple of weeks ago, police in London stopped 100 illegal e-scooter riders, 10 of which ended up being fined and having their scooters confiscated
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/nearly-100-electric-scooters-users-stopped-london/

If your local police force are not taking the action you would wish, especially if you have provided the evidence required to support a successful prosecution, then complain to your Chief Constable or Commissioner.

laserbeam

What evidence could I give there was no way I was going to run after them and there are never any police around permanent and they were gone in a flash.Not sure if there are any CC Cameras in the vicinity.

bigisi

laserbeam wrote: »

but nothing is done and wont be untill something serious is done about it.

Nothing is done until something is done about it???

No sh... sherlock!

jbuchanangb

The simple fact is that EScooters are an oddity in the transport infrastructure that aren't suited to any area of use.
Ban them.

They are banned, I.e. illegal to use on public highways. They can be used on private property.

Barny1979

Visited Paris last month, they're all over the !!!!ing place as you can hire the !!!!ing things, ridden by clueless idiots