Calls for change of law after e-scooter seized by police in Leicester city centre

On Saturday morning a person using an e-scooter by way of Leicester metropolis centre was stopped by the police.

They seized the privately-owned electrical automobile as a result of the regulation states they can’t be ridden in public except they’re rented by way of an authorised – and insured – scheme.

And taking pictures a warning to fellow riders, they mentioned: “Keep in mind these automobiles can’t be utilized in any public place except a part of an authorised rental scheme (there are none in Leicester).

“If seen liable to be seized.”

The information prompted a whole bunch of feedback on the LeicestershireLive web site and on Fb, with many angered that the police are taking motion towards the folks utilizing automobiles, that are legally that can be purchased and infrequently seen all through town and county areas.

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The regulation states they are often purchased however can solely be used on personal land with the landowner’s permission.

One mum or dad commenting the story on Fb mentioned: “Introduced my 14-year-old one for Christmas, costing over £300..

“He is too scared to take it out now in our cul-de-sac for concern of getting it taken away from him by the police! That is ridiculous.”

That was echoed by many different feedback supporting folks’s proper to make use of the tiny machines, which normally have the facility to succeed in about 15mph.

Across the nation 1000’s of individuals have signed numerous on-line petitions calling for the UK authorities to vary the regulation to make the e-scooters authorized.

A separate petition has been organised by Halfords, which sells the scooters.

It says on its web site: “We imagine their secure use has the potential to revolutionise the way in which we journey and might help tackle air pollution and congestion issues.

“Our petition requires the federal government to legalise the usage of all electrical scooters on public roads and for the UK legal guidelines to meet up with the remainder of the world.”

In September final yr, a 12-month trial scheme was arrange in Northampton, with 300 scooters made out there across the metropolis for folks to make use of as a substitute for automobiles.

Anybody utilizing them needs to be 18 or over and have a driving licence. The scooters are strictly to be used on the roads solely.

A month later, in October 2020, an analogous scheme was arrange in Nottingham, with 200 scooters out there for folks to lease and use legally on the roads.

There are not any such schemes in Leicestershire, nevertheless, which implies that in the event you see one out in public it’s most likely being ridden illegally.

Councillor Adam Clark, Leicester Metropolis Council’s assistant metropolis mayor for transport, mentioned he did foresee a future when such automobiles had been authorized on town’s roads.

Nonetheless, Leicester has simply set a rented electrical bicycle scheme, with 500 bikes and 50 docking stations across the metropolis and so didn’t apply to affix Nottingham and Northampton in trialling e-scooter schemes.

He mentioned: “It is seen as one thing that can turn into extra prevalent and the federal government must convey ahead correct regulation for the advantages of those automobiles.

“I’ve undoubtedly seen an uptick in the usage of e-scooters and individuals are involved nevertheless it’s for the police to cope with now – it is tough to do something from the council’s standpoint.”

When requested about how issues may change for e-scooter use sooner or later he mentioned: “They undoubtedly have a task to play once we’re speaking about de-carbonising transport.

“They’ve a task to play nevertheless it must be introduced ahead in a regulated approach.

“We’re bringing ahead our e-bike scheme and we really feel that’s the proper match for town and it is one thing we’re in a position to do with out having to contemplate adjustments to the regulation as e-bikes are correctly regulated.”

Rob Martin, a spokesman for the Crucial Mass biking group in Leicester, mentioned that whereas the e-scooters had advantages when it comes to air pollution and congestion, they definitely didn’t belong on the pavements, the place many riders use them in Leicester in the mean time.

He mentioned: “They should not be on the pavement, simply as cyclists should not be. I believe they scare pedestrians once they come up behind them unexpectedly.

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“There are additionally points with having the e-scooters on the roads, although.

“On the plus facet, folks using them will not be in automobiles, aren’t inflicting the identical air pollution and congestion so there are advantages there.”

David Perrins, who lives in Ellistown, close to Coalville, labored for a few years as a volunteer with the street security charity Brake and he’s in favour of the police seizing the scooters till they are often regulated and made safer.

He mentioned: “I believe they are a loss of life entice – deadly accidents ready to occur.

“Many individuals trip them with out helmets and once you’re going alongside at 15mph in the event you fall off and your head hits the concrete you are going to be in bother.

“Right here in Ellistown we have now slender pavements and I am usually practically getting clobbered by cyclists and these e-scooters go as quick if not quicker.

“They sound like enjoyable and I am positive some folks attempt to be secure and accountable however the privately-owned ones will not be authorized on the roads and pavements and I believe it is proper that the police are seizing them.”

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police mentioned: “In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland it’s unlawful to make use of an electrical scooter on a public freeway.

“The federal government is at present working trials of electrical scooters (e-scooters), nevertheless this trial shouldn’t be happening within the Leicestershire drive space.

“Should you use an e-scooter illegally you possibly can face a wonderful, get penalty factors in your licence, and the e-scooter could possibly be impounded.

“We’d advise customers to test the federal government tips for his or her use.”