Concerns over 'dangerous' e-scooters as trial set for Portsmouth

The city is set to launch an electric scooter trial next month, with around 100 vehicles provided at 25 docking stations.

Unlike private scooters that are illegal to use on roads the rental ones, provided by Voi, will be limited to 15.5mph and will use geofencing to prevent use in certain areas.

However, electric bike importer Andy Tiller, from Waterlooville, had a few worries.

The 55-year-old said: ‘Personally I've had near misses with two electric scooters in the past. It just seemed like whenever I went into Portsmouth pre-lockdown they were all over the roads.

‘I just worry that the people who use them aren't using them safely and could get hurt or hurt others.

‘There's the issue of insurance as well if they get in an accident with a car - a kid on a scooter is likely to just leave.’

A taxi driver, who has worked in Portsmouth for more than 20 years but did not want to be named, added: ‘They are bad news in my mind.

‘I understand why the council wants to do this, to improve air quality and reduce the number of cars on the road. But I mainly see kids on these who aren't paying attention, sometimes with up to three of them on one scooter and it's just dangerous.

‘It's a matter of time before there's a serious accident involving electric scooters in Portsmouth.’

A council spokesperson said: ‘To take part in the proposed trial, people renting an e-scooter would have to be 18 or over, with a provisional driving licence. Unlike private e-scooters, which are illegal except on private land, the rented e-scooters would have third-party insurance and personal accident coverage. At the start of the trial the maximum speed would be 10 mph. This would be put in place initially for safety reasons.’

Plans for an e-scooter trial will be considered at a virtual traffic and transport meeting on February 25.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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