Former councillor calls for tough action on an e-scooters in town centre

Crime / Tue 15th Mar 2022 at 10:21am

A FORMER Harlow councillor has written to us and demanded tougher action on the illegal use of e scooters in the town centre.

Dan Long said: “Me, my wife and my daughter were walking along Eastgate in Harlow town centre when all of a sudden two teenage boys on electric scooters came between us on their scooters.

“Then a teenage girl did the same but the all of a sudden another teenage boy hit me straight in my back, knocking me flying but lucky enough, due to my years of karate experience and working where I work, I’m always prepared for the unexpected, so I managed to stay on my feet, but that could of been someone a lot more vulnerable than me.

How do we know these teenagers were not attempting to mug someone?

In my opinion there should be a total ban on teenagers or anyone without a driving licence ride these electric scooters, especially in built up areas, like Harlow and other town centres.

9 Comments for Former councillor calls for tough action on an e-scooters in town centre:

Paul

2022-03-15 12:03:57

As they are illegal to use anywhere other than on private land why are they not being confiscated and the riders fined for using them, either the council and the police are incompetent in enforcing the law or they just can't be bothered to do Thier jobs.

teapot

2022-03-15 12:28:16

I whole heartily agree with Paul adding that the council and police wont get involved because it involves paperwork, Also when was the last time you saw a copper walking?

Harlow

2022-03-15 13:00:42

It's not just scooters, cycles too. Rather than moan about the problem, there needs to be a solution, total ban isn't the right approach, blaming the police isn't either. I hope Harlow Council, have scooter and cycles use in their big plan for the regeneration of the town centre.

Mike

2022-03-15 13:08:02

What do you mean a total ban isn't the answer, they are illegal to use other than on private land or a scooter scheme, the bottom line is people don't care and will buy them regardless because the police won't intervene unless a crime is committed

novoman

2022-03-15 14:59:12

Just put cobbles down and ridge ribble strips to make the scooters and bikes unrideable where the areas are pedestrian and set up designated cycle ways. Scooters, bikes and small buggies provide a strategy for reducing congestion and pollution. Might help if scooters had to be registered.

Neil Warner-Baker

2022-03-15 19:04:38

It's reckless behaviour that is the problem here.. Not scooters.. We all need to come to terms to the fact that the internal combustion engine is being phased out and a more sustainable transport alternative needs to be developed. E scooters and bikes are part of that solution. Most people in Harlow don't have the luxury of a carport or a convenient electrical charging point. Many live in flats and multi occupant housing and are locked out of the electric car market, besides which, there is probably not enough Lithium to produce enough batteries to replace every car, van, lorry, tractor in the world market. Harlows bus service, (thanks to a lack of investment by Essex County Council) is absolutely dismal but even on the bus routes that are tolerable we still have to come to terms that most people in Harlow think they are to POSH to travel by bus... ; )

T.c

2022-03-16 01:18:05

Get Real!!!! More people are hurt or killed by stampeding pigeons than e.scooters. How the dickens can it be legal to ride a government scooter but not your own ? Open your eyes people.

C.W

2022-03-17 17:14:00

T.c I totally disagree with you and your pig headedness about the current situation, I've walked through town with my kids and they have almost been hit by not only Escooters but pushbikes as well, 2 of my children are 4 and could easily be seriously injured if they are hit by these people continuing to use the town centre as a speedway...