As safety concerns surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters escalate, local councils and police forces across the UK are advocating for more stringent regulations. The move comes in response to increasing reports of safety risks associated with their use, specifically food-delivery riders hitting pedestrians on high streets and pavements.
The Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, has been vocal about the need for clearer legislation. He’s urged the new Labour Government to address these concerns, highlighting the illegal use of bikes, quads, and e-scooters as a top issue raised by the public. In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Grunshaw emphasized the need for laws that cater to the unique needs of individual communities, advocating for enhanced police powers to tackle hotspot areas effectively.
Grunshaw stated, “The illegal use of bikes, quads, and e-scooters is the top issue that members of the public raise with me every day. It’s endemic, and the police need more powers to deal with it.”
In Norwich, residents have expressed frustration over e-bike riders causing chaos in the city center. Reports of reckless riding, including an incident where a rider traveling at approximately 40mph knocked over a woman in her 60s, have fueled the call for better regulation. Green Party Councillor Jamie Osborn pointed out that the main issue lies with electric motorbikes rather than e-bikes, urging for stricter oversight of delivery companies and their riders.
Meanwhile, Brent Council has issued an ultimatum to Lime, a provider of dockless e-bikes, demanding improvements or face removal from the borough by October 31. Councillor Muhammed Butt emphasized the safety hazards posed by improperly parked Lime bikes, which obstruct pavements and inconvenience pedestrians and disabled individuals.
In response, Lime has expressed a commitment to working with Brent Council to improve their service. A spokesperson stated, “We understand the critical importance of maintaining a safe service and avoiding pavement obstructions and are committed to working with the council to deliver the required improvements.”
Southampton Council encourages the use of E Bikes and is moving towards a single operator for rental e-scooters and cycles, aiming to streamline transport options and support the city’s Climate Change Strategy. This initiative is expected to reduce car trips and cut carbon emissions, with surveys indicating that approximately half of Voi rental e-scooter trips would have otherwise been made by car.
The growing concerns and varied responses from local authorities underscore the need for comprehensive national legislation. While councils like Brent take direct action against providers, others call for overarching laws to effectively address the challenges posed by e-bikes and e-scooters. As the debate continues, the focus remains on ensuring public safety and accommodating the evolving landscape of urban mobility.
The specific issue in Southampton seems to relate to delivery riders using their e-bikes in pedestrian areas. As per the Southampton Council website, privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal, except on private land and with the landowner’s permission. So why is no action taken against e-scooter riders which operate through the high street and pedestrian areas in Southampton?
