These dangerous machines will become difficult to eradicate

IWAS so pleased to see the banner headline on the front page of the Bristol Post recently (15.07.21): ACTION ON E-SCOOTER “MENACE”. At last something is happening. Well done the Bristol Post!

Unfortunately, as I read further, I found that the article on page three and the letter from Voi on the letters page were all all about the legally hired e-scooters, except for the one mention by Councillor Alexander of the illegal variety. This is my main concern.

Recently, I went to shut my front door to see an older man riding an illegal black e-scooter down the other side of the road.

Now, there are modern bungalows on that side of the road, with small gardens in the front and the entrances set back from the pavement. The road was deserted and empty of moving traffic and the man (in his 50s or 60s?) was moving quite slowly. So what problem did this pose?

There is the simple problem of illegality and encouraging youngsters to follow suit ...... “but Dad, that old man was riding one, so I want one,” etc .

Had he been riding on my side of the road, which is a Victorian terrace, with the pavement immediately outside my door, a dangerous accident could have occured. An elderly resident could have stepped into his path, or a small child could have run out of the house, with serious consequences for the child, adult and rider.

Also recently, I was horrified when I saw, in Shirehampton, a young child of primary school age, riding an e-scooter with a small toddler in front of her. I was in my car and there were no pedestrians in sight, let alone the children’s parents!

The more this problem is ignored, the more people (especially young people) will buy, or have bought for them, these potentially dangerous machines. They will become commonplace and extremely difficult to eradicate, until some serious accidents, even deaths, occur.

Then the cry will go up: “Why was nothing done?”

Gil Osman Bristol