Safety fears as man and child filmed on e-scooter
An adult and young child were filmed riding a Voi e-scooter together in Bath, sparking safety concerns.
The child, estimated to be under eight years old, is seen standing on the front of the scooter as the adult rides it down the road.
Double-riding an electric scooter with a child is illegal and the driver could get points on their licence as well as a hefty fine.
Voi have said they take such incidents “extremely seriously” and police say anyone caught committing an offence on an e-scooter is liable for prosecution.
Resident Paul Roles spotted the pair on Thursday, September 16 at Bath’s Royal Victoria Park.
He said: “I was sat on the bench in the park when I saw this man and child on a e-scooter, the child got off and went back to the play area and then the man called them back and put them back on the scooter.
“I filmed it to report it - because imagine if they got hit by a car.
“That’s not the first time I’ve seen it happen.
“I’m not against scooters, I see how they are good for the whole greenness of them instead of cars but people aren’t using them right.
“They need to be controlled, people need to wear crash helmets on
them, it’s crazy otherwise.
“People have already been killed on them elsewhere and in Bath they are everywhere.
“People just go firing off in all directions, it’s like letting a dog out in a field, they go in and out of people, it’s a nightmare.”
Mr Roles continued: “I do see how we all need to be more environmentally friendly but at the moment I’m not sure that is why people use them.
“I’ve also noticed a lot of the illegal black scooters all over Bath, they whizz down Monmouth Street.
“I just think that the idea that people would get rid of their cars and own a scooter in Bath won’t work - it is far too hilly and besides, I see groups of young people going on them for a laugh, not many using them for commuting.
“I understand Voi are working on the issues but they do need to be sorted out, especially where people can park them. You see them strewn all over the pavements, it doesn’t look good. They could put an e-scooter rack next to bike racks.”
A Voi spokesperson said it is “forbidden” to take a child on an electric scooter.
They said: “While rare, we take any reports of misuse such as this extremely seriously and encourage members of the public to report them to our team.
“In order to ride a Voi rental e-scooter, users need to be 18 years or over and have at least a provisional driving licence.
“Riders cannot begin their first ride without first verifying their licence in the app.
“It is forbidden for more than one person to ride an e-scooter.
“If an adult allows an underage person to ride on the e-scooter with them, then they are breaking the law and the police can levy fines as well as add points to their licence.
“Voi works closely with the police and has staff on the ground to monitor e-scooter activity.
“Any users caught falling foul of Voi’s strict three strike policy will be permanently banned and won’t be able to rent our scooters again.”
Simon Brickwood, Avon and Somerset Police superintendent for Road Safety, said: “We’d remind the public that Voi rental e-scooters are
Scooters need to be controlled, people need to wear crash helmets on them, it’s crazy otherwise.
Paul Roles
subject to road traffic laws. You must be 18 or older with a full or provisional driving licence, and riding with a passenger is not permitted.
“Irresponsible e-scooter use puts pedestrians, motorists and the riders themselves at risk and anyone caught committing a traffic offence on an e-scooter is liable for prosecution.
“Working closely with the local authority and Voi, we are actively engaging with e-scooter users as part of our regular patrols, issuing advice where appropriate and taking enforcement action where necessary.”