‘Stop!’ Road Safety Wales issues plea to privately owned e-scooter riders

08.10 | 20 August 2021 |

Road Safety Wales has issued a reminder that it is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter on public roads, pavements or cycle paths.

E-scooters are becoming increasingly common as people look for alternatives to public transport, or ways to reduce car use.

However in Wales, the only place to legally ride an e-scooter is on private land with the permission of the land owner – everywhere else it is against the law.

Road Safety Wales has teamed up with Guide Dogs Cymru to highlight the impact e-scooter use is having, particularly for those with sight or hearing loss.

It is also advising anyone who is contemplating purchasing or using an e-scooter, that they are risking being issued with a £300 fine, six penalty points on their driving licence and having the e-scooter seized.

Teresa Ciano, chair of Road Safety Wales, said: “Some people may not realise that they are affecting anyone by illegally riding an e-scooter, but they can be incredibly frightening to someone with sight or hearing loss.

“We are asking people to consider how they would feel if they, or a member of their family with a visual or hearing impairment, were genuinely afraid of being knocked down by an e-scooter every time they went out.

“We are aware that some people are selfishly riding e-scooters on the pavement with no regard for the safety of others. This is totally unacceptable and we are grateful that our police colleagues are taking robust action against these individuals.”

Andrea Gordon, external affairs manager at Guide Dogs Cymru, said: “We are very concerned about the increase in e-scooter use. People with sight loss, who cannot hear or see them approaching, are particularly at risk.

“We don’t expect to find e-scooters on the pavement, and a near miss caused by an e-scooter can be so frightening that a person with sight loss stops going out independently. 

“E-scooters will have a dramatic and irreversible effect on the street environment. Our pavements should be safe for everyone.”


 

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