E-scooters are a common sight across many estates in Sheffield with thousands purchased this festive season. Councillor Ben Miskell has called on the government to “act now” and regulate them.

He said: “we need to stop pretending that e-scooters aren’t already a feature in our estates and get on with regulating them”. 

Rental scooters are legal in some towns and cities in England, which opted to take part in a government backed trial, although no council in South Yorkshire has taken part. Privately owned scooters are still illegal in England, with South Yorkshire Police recently issuing a warning about their safety and legality ahead of the Christmas present buying season.

Last year MPs on the transport select committee recommended legalisation of all e-scooters. Councillor Ben Miskell said: “many privately owned e-scooters in Arbourthorne and Norfolk Park are causing a menace, with elderly residents complaining about the speed these devices are driven, particularly on the pavement. The government is dithering and delaying on regulation and it could cost lives.”.

He went on to say: “regulating e-scooters will give the police the tools needed to crack down on those causing a nuisance”. 

“Most safety issues at the moment are coming from private, illegal use and that’s clear right across Sheffield. We need to deal with that and introduce regulation, so that people can use e-scooters safety for shorter journeys. In hilly cities like Sheffield, they could represent a really great solution for journeys below 3 miles”. 

“Regulating them will allow speed limiters to be fitted and GPS technology can limit the areas where they can be used and by whom. It makes the whole e-scooter sector much more accountable and ultimately safer.”

Article in the Sheffield Star