Disclaimer

For how much longer will the Lime scooter company stand behind the disclaimer that it expects under-18-year-olds to obey the law by not taking a ride on one of its e-scooters? On Saturday I saw 10 e-scooters total in use, and six of the 11 passengers (one was a dub), were visibly under-age.

The following day I saw two e-scooters in use. Both were operated by under-age riders, and one of them was being used to dub a passenger. This is a lot of law-breaking from teenagers considered too young to operate e-scooters. The issue at stake here is ensuring compliance and the safety of riders and pedestrians. The age restriction must be there for a reason. This has nothing to do with policing anyone’s fun, but rather guaranteeing it.

Why not issue a registration card for those wanting to ride e-scooters, to be scanned into the device along with their credit card? Should an unauthorised person be caught taking a ride, a fine would apply to the person whose name is registered on the card. I’m sure this will be anathema to some. But we’re talking about keeping our young teenagers safe from any potential harm. Such a measure may even ensure the longevity of the e-scooter; although judging by their appeal to kids more than to adults, I do wonder whether most grown-ups think of them as being somewhat disreputable.

Jo Barrett, Papanui