An ITV Tonight investigation into the use of e-scooters should act as ‘a wake-up call’ to the government, a statement issued by Sight Loss Councils said.
ITV found that trials of rental e-scooters in England have resulted in 210 injuries and 1,100 complaints, with irresponsible parking the most common complaint.
Mike Bell, national public affairs lead for Sight Loss Councils, said: ‘Whilst many operators and local councils have been working positively with us to try and improve the safety of e-scooters, in too many areas this has not yet been enough. This investigation by ITV Tonight should be a wake-up call to all e-scooter operators and the Government that the trials have not been the triumph that many make them out to be.’
Sight Loss Councils said its #StreetsForAll campaigned highlighted the dangers of e-scooters parked on pavements for disabled pedestrians, including people who are blind or visually impaired.
It called for mandatory on-road parking bay, a reduction to a speed limit of 15.5mph, installation of sound-emitting devices and geotagging to prevent pavement use.