‘E-scooters can be used as weapons against pedestrians’

• HAVING one dark evening encountered an arrogant speeding young scooterist, his bright light shining to drive me out of his way, I want to add my support to those wishing to exclude e-scooters from our pavements.

Such incidents raise disturbing new dimensions to the increasing use of e-scooters, namely that their size, speed, and dazzling lights, can be used as weapons against pedestrians, the most vulnerable of road users.

Pavements are pedestrians’ natural right of way. Yet recently reported research informs us that e-scooters travelling at their permitted top speed of 15mph could hurl pedestrians as far as 11 feet.

Regarding children, testing by a guide dogs charity found that a three-year-old infant could be thrown some 21 feet, six times his or her body length, by the same impact.

We also learn of a girl of three who suffered “life-changing” injuries when hit by an e-scooter in south London. And, reportedly, in 2020 a total of 121 innocent children and teenagers were injured by e-scooters.

ANTONY PORTER
Address supplied