E-scooters

Hello all

I am very aware of the issues surrounding the illegal and quite often careless/dangerous use of e-scooters and we really do take the matter seriously.

For all those who think we are the ‘fun police’ by ‘wasting our time on dealing with these scooters when there are more serious matters that need dealing with' I can assure you that we are dealing with those other serious matters but unfortunately because many are ignoring the law regarding the use of e-scooters this has to be dealt with too as it is also a serious matter.

Quite often it is children who are riding the e-scooters and more often than not their parents/guardians are aware that they are out in public riding them knowing that it's against the law to do so but unfortunately I'm finding that some attitudes are ‘well it’s only an e-scooter' type comments.

This is an irresponsible view to take as they are the equivalent to driving a car without insurance and the same penalties can follow as well as the scooter being seized and when they are seized you can't get them back, me and my colleagues don't make the laws, we just enforce them.

So as I've said, my main concern is the safety of other road users especially pedestrians but also that of the e-scooter rider and kids being kids who have no fear will ride them in and out of traffic and some kids do it just to be a menace which has been reported to me over the last few days in Lydd, and quite frankly what has been reported are the scooters being ridden dangerously putting others at risk of injury as well as the rider.

Therefore I now have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy when it comes to e-scooters being ridden illegally, they will be seized with no prior warning.

I seized one yesterday in Coronation Square and the riding of which is backed up by CCTV footage.

Please look at legal alternatives to e-scooters like a pushbike, generally speaking Pedal Assisted bicycles are legal as opposed to electric bikes that are ‘twist and go’ but you need to do your research into what is legal on public roads/areas as it is the rider's responsibility and when it comes to children, parents and guardians need to take as much responsibility to ensure that their child is within the law and is safe!

Normally I really like to keep my posts a bit light hearted if I can but I make no apologies for this stern post as it really is a serious matter when there is a high risk of injury, the other issue which sometimes pricks the ears of some more than safety is that if an e-scooter or similar illegal vehicle crashed into your pride and joy causing extensive damage because of the manner in which it is being ridden who are you going to claim against for the damage caused because these vehicles cannot be insured?!

Thank you

Steve.