TWO Basingstoke councillors have hit out over the ‘menace’ of electric scooters, and are calling for a police crackdown to address illegal use of them in the town.

Cllrs Sam Jeans and Arun Mummalaneni (Conservative, Brookvale & Kings Furlong) have said the “craze” of scooters is being adopted by all ages, leading many residents to raise safety concerns.

Cllr Jeans said: “I am currently receiving almost daily emails and phone calls from residents to complain about inconsiderate riders, hurtling down footpaths and through parks with many near misses and even actual physical injury to innocent pedestrians.

“Almost every day there are reports in our national press of pedestrians hospitalised with life changing injuries and sadly, there have even been deaths.”

While owning an e-scooter is not a crime, they can only be currently legally used on private land by those aged 16 and over.

Cllr Jeans continued: “I personally have experienced almost being knocked over walking down Winchester Road, where I live. This is a wide pathway, also designated as a cycle lane and allows the riders to gather immense speed, therefore making them only visible at the last minute, if it all.

“This is especially worrying when many residents of Winchester Road have driveways that cross the pathway before the road, thus making it almost impossible to spot these riders as we drive out from our homes. If I happen to collide with a speeding e-scooter, who is to blame? What are the legal, financial, and emotional burdens for anyone affected? Worse still, the rider could suffer life changing injuries as a result. None of this even bears thinking about.”

Cllr Jeans and her fellow ward councillor Cllr Arun Mummalaneni, are calling on Hampshire Police to take prompt action to address the issue of e-scooters in residential areas.

“I absolutely implore parents who have bought these for their children to seriously consider the potential implications of them riding their much-loved e-scooters in public and always advise caution,” said Cllr Jeans.

“My personal opinion is that this must be regulated to maintain the safety of the rider and other members of the public.”

Cllr Arun Mummalaneni added: “E-Scooters are a serious growing concern and are putting children and pedestrians at risk. Before there are any further casualties I appeal to Hampshire Police to curb the illegal use of them by encouraging education and enforcement.

“I believe that citizen engagement is crucial and I also take this opportunity to encourage the public to report any incidents which they may observe.”

The Gazette has contacted Hampshire Constabulary for comment.

Are e-scooters illegal?

While there is lots of uncertainty surrounding the full legal basis for this mode of transport, they are not illegal and in fact the government is currently backing a trial for e-scooter rental around the country.

That said, whilst it is not illegal to own one, they can only be currently legally used on private land by those aged 16+.

It is illegal to use them on public roads, on pavements, in cycle lanes and pedestrian only areas. This is due to them being classed as ‘powered transporters’, hence the same laws apply as with motor vehicles. This means that they be used on public roads if they meet the same requirements as motor vehicles such as being taxed, insured and licensed.

E-scooter trials

E-Scooter rental trials are happening across many boroughs in the UK with support from the Government.

To utilise one of these you must hold a valid full or provisional driving license which includes the ‘Q’ category entitlement and full insurance will be provided by the hire company.

These trials are set to continue until March 2022 after which a full consultation will be held to assess them as a modern mode of public transport.

It is important to note that this is not currently happening in Basingstoke and Deane.

How to report if you are concerned

If you see people riding e-scooters inconsiderately or dangerously on pavements, in parks or pedestrian areas you can report them to Hampshire Police using the Anti-Social Behaviour online reporting platform: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/ or by calling 101.

Alternatively, you can report them to the Community Safety Team at BDBC online or by calling 01256 844844.