December 16th 2024.
Riding electronic scooters on pavements is against the law, as many of us already know. But the mayors of England are about to receive some new powers that will help them tackle the growing issue of reckless use of e-bikes and e-scooters. This is all part of the government's plan to give more authority to regional mayors, and it could mean big changes for how these modes of transportation are parked and operated.
According to MailOnline, the government is set to announce these new powers, which will give metropolitan mayors the ability to impose fines on both rental companies and individuals who leave these rides scattered on pavements. This news comes as Angela Rayner, the deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, pushes for further devolution of powers, which includes the merging and abolishing of certain councils. The goal is to give regional mayors more control over planning and transportation decisions.
E-scooters have become a common sight on pavements in cities all over the country. However, there have been several incidents and close-calls involving these vehicles, including the recent seizure of illegal "death trap" e-bikes in London that could reach speeds of up to 70mph. Even Ian Hislop, the editor of Private Eye and presenter of Have I Got News For You, was involved in a collision with an e-bike rider last week while crossing the road in London. He suffered a head injury and was seen wearing a large bandage afterwards.
Currently, each council, including the London boroughs, has the authority to regulate e-bike and scooter parking and determine the number of rides allowed in their area. However, Brent Council made headlines when it threatened to remove Lime e-bikes from the borough due to their unruly parking. Eventually, a compromise was reached when Lime promised to improve their parking habits by removing improperly parked bikes within two hours, creating more parking bays, and reducing the size of their fleet from 750 to 500 bikes.
Advocates have been calling for stricter measures to address the "menace" of e-bikes, especially for disabled individuals who may be put in danger by these vehicles. Sarah Gayton from the National Federation of the Blind expressed the need for government regulations that would require all hire bikes to be locked and docked off pavements and pedestrian spaces. She also mentioned the success of Santander's docking stations in London, which help prevent bikes from blocking access and causing accidents.
Gayton believes that the government could take immediate action to improve the situation, without the need for a complete overhaul of local government. She also emphasized the need to reduce the speed of rental e-bikes, as many riders have been seen breaking traffic laws and riding on pavements. It's clear that something needs to be done to address the growing issue of e-bikes and e-scooters, and it's up to the government to take action.
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