The 'menace' unwrapped at Christmas...

GROWING USE - AND MISUSE - OF ELECTRIC BIKES AND SCOOTERS AROUND COUNTRY

- By STEPHEN TOPPING

HEY will have been unwrapped, unboxed and welcomed into countless homes on Christmas Day.

But electric bikes and scooters can pose a major risk to their users - and a menace to others.

Fire brigades across the country have issued multiple warnings amid a growing number of blazes involving e-bikes or e-scooters, often involving batteries or generators. Meanwhile, police forces have seized thousands of e-bikes which fail to comply with the law.

Sadly, the vehicles have also been at the centre of multiple tragedies in Greater Manchester and beyond, with families now preparing to spend their first Christmas without their loved ones.

Earlier this month, tributes were paid to 'one-of-a-kind' dad Jason Parr.

The 61-year-old e-biker suffered fatal injuries following a collision with two pedestrians on Rochdale Road, in Blackley. His daughter Samantha said: “His absence has left a huge void in our lives, and we are struggling to come to terms with this tragedy.”

Meanwhile, a 59-year-old man has denied the murder and manslaughter of Devon Simmonds-Caines, a 15-year-old boy who died in a collision involving an e-bike and a car on Rowrah Crescent, in Middleton, on July 22. Terrence King, of Castlerigg Drive, Middleton, was remanded in custody after issuing his plea on September 30 and a trial is expected to begin at Minshull Street Crown Court on January 20.

The tragedy 'shocked the whole family,' Devon's loved ones said in a tribute following his death. “Devon was an outgoing, bubbly person who always kept himself motivated even when he didn't want to be,” they added. “Devon loved everyone that loved him and showed respect to everyone that respected him.”

On March 19, Jacob Calland was involved in a crash on Southmoor Road, in Wythenshawe. The 14-year-old had jumped on the back of his friend's e-scooter, which was involved in a collision with a car.