‘Why are unauthorised scooters not confiscated and destroyed?’

• I CONCUR with the sentiments of your correspondent, Antony Porter, who draws attention to the high risk of injury and death from the misuse of electric scooters, (Pavements are no place for the weaponised e-scooter, April 1).

Unfortunately it would seem that the authorities have decided not to enforce existing laws relating to road traffic offences.

Use of any e-scooter which is not part of an approved rental scheme is illegal. The riding of scooters or bicycles on pavements, through red traffic lights, or any other breaches of the Highway Code are punishable with a criminal record; yet the police and traffic wardens seem to have given up control of the streets.

All legally-ridden scooters have identifying features and are able to be traced to the credit or debit card account of the user.

Why are unauthorised scooters not confiscated and destroyed? Delivery riders wear clothing displaying employers’ corporate logos and if companies were faced with a hefty fine each time one of their riders was in breach of the law, I suspect that a great improvement in the quality of cycling would take place.

Cyclists are not required to have any identifying features displayed on their bicycles or to hold insurance. I suspect that powerful pressure groups have lobbied the government against any legislation to ensure that pedal cyclists are treated the same as any other road user.

It is a principle of natural justice that the most vulnerable are given the highest legal priority, so pavements must return to being safe spaces for pedestrians only.

KEELEY-JASMINE CAVENDISH
Thurlow Park Road, SE21