It’s not my job to delve further into Warwick University’s research. But in my opinion something that is as expensive to produce in terms of damage to the environment and workers as the ore used to produce the batteries currently available and then to junk the majority of Escooters after one to five years is not good for the planet. I feel the same about mobile phones and if I had managed to get a Fairphone that actually worked, I would have switched to one when my aged Samsung finally conked out.
I’m genuinely intrigued to know where you did your 2000 miles. I thought Escooters were illegal on pavements and public roads, apart from rentals and a few recent trial areas. Was this abroad?
I mainly use my scooter to commute to and from work, around 3-4 miles each way each day, plus the odd trip to shops. I’ve spoken to police officers on a few occasions and they have all been very understanding of why I use my scooter and have never had an issue with it. Of course there will be young or idiotic people that ride around on them recklessly, but this is the same for pretty much any motorised or non motorised mode of transport. I agree that the mining of Lithium is bad for the environment, however surely this is somewhat offset by the fact that this is getting people to travel using cleaner and greener methods, in terms not generating Co2 etc.
You may be a safe rider but if I drove my car without tax and insurance I would expect to be pulled over the same with these E-scooter and if they are stopped by the police which I very much doubt and confiscated the offender should be fined a minimum of £500 on the spot and charged for disposal of the vehicle if they can’t pay them imprisonment for two years and tagged for them 3 more Whose officers you spoke to need to be disciplined and suspended without pay and investigated for failure to do their jobs properly and the rest of them get out of their canteen and do there job instead of going for easy targets to massage there crime resolved numbers. .
But we already have banned the use of the phone when driving. True that in most cases damage to the inattentive headphone or mobile phone user when walking/running is confined to the walker/runner themselves, but not always and the trauma to the person they collide with must be awful. Surely no sensible person would wear headphones or use their mobile when cycling?
The case for licensing and third party insurance of vehicles that use public space is clear, I’d have thought.
I think part of the problem is in trying to legislate for e-scooters as one broad thing. Maybe it would make more sense to divide them into categories and set legislation and limits for each type, like already done with moped (50cc engine or less) \ motorcycle licences.
For example, one category could be for e-scooters \ hoverboards that are allowed on pavements, limited to walking pace and the device must be under a certain weight, but no licence is required.
Another class could require registration, a licence, insurance, wearing of a helmet and MOT and be limited to 30mph for urban roads. Driving these on the pavement or motorways would be very illegal.
The 15mph speed limit currently being widely considered (or ignored) means escooters aren’t really suited to the road or pavements and can be a hazard on both.
I’ve seen a few over here in Portugal - out in the sticks. People use them to get to work and given the price of fuel and lack of public transport it seems like a great idea.
I don’t see the issue with them in London. Limit them the same as ebikes and ban them from the pavement. There isn’t much difference except for ebikes are pedal assist. I am not sure the ride is that comfy on some of London roads but some bigger tyres would help with that.
At a time when we are very aware of the perils of car use and with people being wary of public transport I would have thought they would be more accepted.
I think part of the problem is that they are already banned from the pavements as with many other kinds of antisocial/dangerous behaviour. However, making certain behaviour unlawful or ‘banning’ it is easy to do. The far more difficult thing is to actually enforce the law. For that you need police officers, and how many of those do you see about the place. For that reason alone, it’s probably a lost cause until there are some examples of some citizens getting badly hurt by these things. Then the tide may change.
I don’t mean to sound like I’m a moaning old whatsit, (I’m not actually that old) but people are now taking these e scooters on buses & trains, & even the tube!
Unless tucked right away (not easy) under the feet of the rider, they are a trip hazard!
Again as with bikes, I’ve always said if you want to ride one, then ride it, don’t block up public transport with them! I know most trains now have the capacity to accommodate bikes, but even now you will always get the one who thinks it’s his or her right to block the doors!
Some cyclists do wear headphones while cycling around central london. I have to say that as a cyclist I don’t really get it, because I know I rely a lot on being able to hear what is going on behind/around me. I think I am also unusual in not listening to headphones whilst out running/walking for the same reason. But I have definitely seen other people cycling with headphones and whatever I think about it, I don’t think there is legislation to prevent it.
I have started to wear in ear earphones when out so I am hands free when walking or on public transport, but only to talk on my phone as I have an injured arm & it hurts if I have my arm bent for too long. But I wouldn’t listen to music as I could see it as a distraction, & I like to know what is going on around me! I can still look round & it is actually easier on foot than holding the phone in my hand. But surely a cyclist needs their wits about them at all times.
I think it makes a lot of sense to do it when you’re on a phonecall, especially if you have wireless headphones, because it’s definitely easier and also means your phone isn’t on display.
Yes definitely, as there has been a spate of phone snatching again recently, I saw on the news last night that the police are going round the west wend warning people.
I still have a 5SE I phone, so won’t be of much value, it it still works fine, still does updates & now I’ve got an iPad I use this more than the phone anyway!
I haven’t got wireless headphones, only just getting used to the normal in ear ones!
Trouble is Gill that if you get mugged by a drive-by Escooter or cyclist thief they won’t know yours is an older phone till after they’ve mugged you. I don’t use my phone on the street unless I can tuck myself in somewhere safe to do so. I’d rather miss the call.
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