E-scooters

I just came across this while searching for something else:

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19651244.cyclist-seriously-injured-collision-e-scooter-lewes-road-brighton/

It's a head-on-collision (and hit-and-run), but the article doesn't say where exactly it happened, and Lewes Road is 4.5km long in Brighton. That the scooter rider was going in the wrong direction may indicate that it was in one of the segregated track bits, but it is entirely possible that he was riding contraflow in an unsegregated cycle lane. Neither are recommended strategies. There don't seem to be any follow-up articles, so I guess he hasn't been caught.

Seems like knee jerk nonsense. Folding e bikes not excluded? Or anything with a Li battery really, it’s dodgy batteries that are the problem not scooters.

Would say mostly found in imported scooters just now, like a few years ago with those 'hoverboard' things.

opposed to the UK where a 25kph scooter is just as illegal as a 60kph death trap.

That's exactly the problem, why bother going for a regulated one when you can get a faster one for cheaper and still pay the same fine?

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/escooter-legal-laws-driving-ban-roads-police-criminal-b973498.html

Another e-bike battery fire, this time in Leytonstone:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/electric-bike-ebike-warning-leytonstone-london-fire-brigade-b977735.html

I should probably post these in the electric bikes thread, but we had the discussion here and the other thread seems to be mostly about buying brand spanking new ones.

Advice from the London Fire Brigade worth reposting (it obviously applies equally to e-scooter batteries):

“We know that lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.

“Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as spares as this can increase the chance of damage to cells. You should also not expose them to extremes of temperature.

“You should always make sure you unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.

Here's a bad recent crash:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/dalston-kingsland-crash-scooter-woman-b977450.html

These crashes are still newsworthy because of the relatively small number of e-scooters around.

Best wishes to the victim for her recovery.

However, the first six months of 2021 indicate that crashes are multiplying:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/escooter-collision-tfl-london-b975462.html

https://youtu.be/T9aeMccUPY0

Just watched this, pretty interesting. Last minute sums it up really.

The massive fire on a car transport ship is said to have had something to do with li-ion batteries:

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16409166/

Saw an ad for e scooter instructor or something like that the other day. Personal scooters being properly legal is imminent isn't it?

Yes
Give it a year

1 Attachment

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/escooter-accidents-injuries-revealed-london-tfl-ban-b985850.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-60806459

Just been to Gothenburg where there are Bird/Voi/Bolt scooters everywhere.

Seemed to work. But then folk there are very up on their multi-modal transport systems, they have pretty amazing cycle infrastructure, and seem to happily tolerate 50cc scooters been ridden in bike lanes (its legal there, in other Nordic states they are moving away from that).

Main things were using mostly designated drop areas in the busy city/shop areas, everywhere else it was pretty much a free for all. But in 4 days I think I only actively thought 'mate thats a shit place to dump a scooter'.

Maybe in the UK its just our sense of self importance thats the issue. And the potholes lol.

Awful news

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/21/14-year-old-girl-dies-after-crash-with-van-while-riding-e-scooter-in-london

Bit of light lunchtime reading if anyone can be arsed...

https://www.pacts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/PACTS-The-safety-of-private-e-scooters-in-the-UK-Final-Report.pdf

I've got as far as the summary:

if the Government decides to legalise use of private e-scooters, it should adopt
regulations for their construction and use as set out below:
• Maximum possible speed of 12.5mph (20km/h)
• Maximum continuous rated motor power of 250 W
• Anti-tampering mechanisms should be included in construction - Tampering should
be prohibited by law
• Minimum front wheel size of 12 inches (30.5cm) and minimum rear wheel size of 10
inches (25.5cm)
• Two independently controlled braking devices, one acting on the front wheel and
one acting on the rear wheel
• Lighting to be mandatory at all times
• Maximum unladen weight of 20kg
• An audible warning device to be mandatory
• Helmet wearing to be mandatory
• Riding on the footway (pavement) or footpath to be prohibited
• Rider age limit of at least 16 years
• Carrying of a passenger to be prohibited
• Drink driving, dangerous or careless riding, and handheld mobile phone use to
be prohibited
• In-person rider training and third-party insurance are recommended.

I'm not sure there is any point legalising based on that set of rules. Nobody will take any notice and will continue as they are. Unless we are suddenly going to have battalions of traffic police on the streets.

Needs number plates and road tax added to the list.

What would be interesting is to look into how motor vehicles were first introduced and lessons learnt from that. I imagine, when cars first came out you could also do whatever and they were 'even more' of a menace to society.

I do think that once they're legalised, with everyone using good quality machines, and lots of normal people start to use them, many of the issues will reduce.

You needed a pedestrian to walk ahead of the car waving a red flag during the early days of motor cars. Not sure we want to go as far back as that with the rules.

What would be interesting is to look into how motor vehicles were first introduced and lessons learnt from that.

No need to go that far back.
Look at e-cycles pretty robust legislation. Escooter could be the same as EAPC guidance.

And as ever, more important than the behaviour and education of scooter riders is the behaviour and education of motorists, to minimise risk

Look at e-cycles pretty robust legislation.

Minimal enforcement though. You see loads and loads of e-cycles that don't match the regulations.

And the e-cyclists are far more of a pain in the arse than e-scooterists.

Yes enforcement is poor across the board. Also many cars don't match the regs too

And the e-cyclists are far more of a pain in the arse than e-scooterists

And both these modes are far less a pain in the arse than some motorists