A CAMPAIGNER for safer streets has hit out at the danger posed by e-scooters in Redditch.
Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, also took aim at local MP Rachel Maclean, the Minister in the Department of Transport heading the scheme, for backing the e-scooter trial.
During a visit to the town Sarah said she found e-scooters with broken bells, defective brakes, chewed up wheels and damaged reflectors.
The trial in Redditch is being run by Bird, which operates e-scooters around the world.
“This scheme is not safe and needs to shut down,” she said.
“The Minister should be ashamed of herself for not even realising the serious safety situation with the e-scooters on the street.
“This is not safe for riders and pedestrians. The trial needs to be halted.
“I quickly found two e-scooters with broken brake handles, some with bells not working and others left causing obstructions and trip hazards.
“Some of the quality of the wheels was also questionable.
“I found they could easily be knocked over with just one finger, causing an additional hazard.”
Mrs Maclean said: “Before introducing any vehicle on to the road, the Government takes a number of steps to ensure their safety.
“Safety on our roads and pavements, for all road users, including those with disabilities, is our overall priority.
“The Government has taken steps to ensure the Royal National Institute for the Blind and other groups have been able to feed their concerns in to Ministers, and I have held several meetings with them to listen to these concerns.
“A local representative from the RNiB attended the Redditch e-scooter trial launch and was very happy with the modifications that Bird had made.
“I must stress again that this is a trial taking place in Redditch.
“The trial isn’t over and all the data and people’s concerns will be evaluated before the Government makes a final decision on the future legality of e-scooters in this country.”
Bird was asked for a comment but had not got back to us by the time we went to press.
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