Councillors back motion calling for tougher rules on e-bikes and e-scooters

CALL FOR LICENCES TO BE INTRODUCED TO CURB ANTISOCIAL RIDING

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

BROXTOWE councillors and residents have backed a call for stricter licensing of e-bikes and e-scooters after concerns over illegal operation and pedestrian safety.

Concerns were highlighted in Broxtowe Borough Council's full council meeting on Wednesday under a motion proposed by Councillor Adam Stockwell (Con) regarding e-bikes.

It asked for the council's chief executive to write to the East Midlands' Mayor, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Broxtowe MPs and the Secretary of State for Transport to raise safety issues posed by the electric vehicles and to change the checks that take place on them, while calling for overall stricter regulations.

The original motion suggested the current 15.5mph speed limit - the national limit for e-bikes without pedalling - to be reduced, that they should be registered and new licences and a training course be introduced for usage. Councillor Stockwell noted the health benefits of the electric bikes, particularly for people with mobility issues, saying the motion was not aimed at them.

He mentioned e-bike riders “swerving dangerously in and out around cars”, not obeying traffic light laws and said he had witnessed users deliberately “riding at speed” at pedestrians. He added: “All it takes is one slip or one miscalculation or it being ridden at an older resident and that's going to be a serious collision with serious injuries, no doubt.”