Key worker: ‘E-scooter ban stops me getting to work’
WOMAN SAYS SHE NEEDS MACHINE TO GET TO AND FROM HER TWO JOBS
A KEY worker says she is unable to commute to work following the crackdown on e-scooters.
The 22-year-old uses an e-scooter to travel to and from her two jobs, as a healthcare assistant at Leicester Royal Infirmary and as a care assistant with a private company.
The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, spent £350 on her e-scooter and uses it mostly for commuting – including travelling between homes in her role as a carer.
Police have announced they will seize any e-scooter its officers see being used in public areas, such as on roads, pavements and cycle paths.
The force said this is because e-scooters can only be used in public places if they are part of an approved rental scheme, and there is no such scheme in Leicester.
The key worker said: “My e-scooter is the only way I can get to work. I can’t bike or use one of the new e-bikes because I’m severely asthmatic and find it very hard to breathe when using one.
“I can’t afford a car, a motorbike, or a bus pass, either. A bus pass costs £50 a month on top of the rest of my bills and expenses. I work two jobs to get by.
“I know a lot of friends and colleagues who are in the same position, too. They’re too scared to use their e-scooters now because of what the police have said.
“I work at the hospital as a healthcare assistant but also as a carer, travelling in the community to people’s homes.
“Travel is a big part of my work and my e-scooter helps that a lot.
“I do get it, to a certain extent, with the police. Teenagers can buy them or are given them and abuse them, causing anti-social behaviour and generally causing problems.
“But if I’m using mine to get to work and then the police take it off me, I can’t get to work.
“I’m having to change my role as a carer following the news, as I can’t travel between houses quickly and easily if I can’t use my e-scooter.”
Approved rental schemes have been put in place in cities including Northampton and Nottingham.
Outside of these schemes, however, e-scooters can only be used on private property as they do not have the permission and insurance to be used elsewhere.
While the city has no e-scooter scheme, Leicester City Council has introduced a rented electric bicycle scheme, with 500 bikes and 50 docking stations around the city.
The key worker said: “I don’t know how riding an e-bike is okay but an e-scooter isn’t.
“What’s the difference? You don’t need a test, a licence, or insurance to ride an e-bike on the roads, but a very similar concept of an e-scooter is heavily restricted.
“If they were just cracking down on kids messing about with them, I’d get it.
“But why not put an age restriction in place, or say it’s only for appropriate uses such as commuting?
“Then they could just pull over anyone they think is too young to use one, or is using it inappropriately.
“You hear people talking about being green and eco-friendly, but as soon as something comes out that allows people a greener option to commute, and keeps more cars off the road, they’re threatened with it being seized. As long as you can prove it is for work or commuting, or you’re over 18 or an acceptable age, I don’t see what the issue is.”
Speaking previously, a police spokesman said: “In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland it is illegal to use an electric scooter on a public highway.
“The government is running trials of electric scooters (e-scooters). However, this trial is not taking place in the Leicestershire force area.
“If you use an e-scooter illegally you could face a fine, get penalty points on your licence and the e-scooter could be impounded.
“We would advise users to check the government guidelines for their use.”
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A lot of friends and colleagues are in the same position. They’re too scared to use their e-scooters now Key worker