So many E-scooter deaths..

They aren't illegal? You have to like download an app and stuff. All looks official?

Cars don’t come up behind people, in a space reserved for pedestrians, at a speed much faster than walking speed.

40 pedestrians are killed on the pavements each year, that’s a space reserved for pedestrians and drivers travel faster than escooter

It doesn’t. Cars usually stay on the roads. My dad, like most sensible people, looks both ways several times before stepping into a road. Cars don’t come up behind people, in a space reserved for pedestrians, at a speed much faster than walking speed.

That number would likely be higher if anyone could jump in a car without a test. Five deaths a day from a statistic pov is low when you consider the number of cars on the road

the number of escooter deaths is what 1 or 2 a year so statistically extremely low, so what’s the point in testing and insuring them as OP wants when deaths aren’t high?

That number would likely be higher if anyone could jump in a car without a test. Five deaths a day from a statistic pov is low when you consider the number of cars on the road

Them and quad/dirt bikes are awful round here. Ridden on roads and canal footpaths at speed. Often users have black visors and while face masks so v intimidating

Why would you think that passing a test would reduce the deaths in an escooter? 5 drivers a day kill other people on the rds or themselves, they are tested, insured etc but still 1800 people a year due when they’ve been tested. So why would testing escooter riders be any different?

Someone near me has one and it’s much faster than an e scooter. He must do 30mph on his ball. No lights, in black, often out at night and on the roads!

Theoretically An e scooter should be no more dangerous than an ebike. You don’t need a test or a licence for an ebike. So I agree it must be down to the people using them and how they’re behaving.

Do you not know how many deaths and serious injuries are caused by cars everyday? That’s the big problem.

A colleague has one. He leaves the office and goes straight into the pedestrianised area on it 🙄

Most of the ones I see are being used on the school run. Far to dangerous to be allowed on the roads, certainly do not belong on the pavements.

Vehicles designed to transport one person should be encouraged. What we need to discourage is all these cars for transporting 4/5 people being used by one person.

Many police forces have done just that from time to time. It doesn't stop people.

Anyone riding a privately owned one on the road or pavement is a scofflaw anyway. That said restrictions on their sale might be reasonable. At the moment anyone can walk into Halfords and buy an escooter, and let's face it, 99% of buyers plan to use them on the roads because otherwise there's no point owning one.

The hire ones are speed limited and min age 17, though younger people manage to cheat the hire apps. If personally-owned ones are ever legalised it's likely the same speed limit (16 mph) will apply although the age requirement is up in the air. They're safe enough if you don't ride like an idiot and keep your eyes out for potholes, but teenagers are a demographic not known for sensible behaviour. So a license and theory test requirement may be worthwhile.

(The hire ones in many cities are also so bloody expensive that it discourages their use for any decent length trips.)

On the bright side statistics usually catch up with ‘em in time and they qualify a Darwin Award - potholes on pavements and roads should take care of a percentage of them - motor vehicles versus scooters a few more.
Remarkable how an Old Geezer with a walking stick and a bad attitude is given a wide berth by the hard-of-thinking mounted either on a bike or a scooter.

So glad I'm not alone on this - I thought I'd seen it all until recently some youth scootered through our indoor shopping centre and actually into a shop

Stupid thing is, it probably wouldn't take that much to stop it ... get a few police together and a couple of large vans and over an (unannounced) period seize every single one that's being ridden illegally
Given the hideous price of these things it should hopefully put others off

There are hundreds of illegal E-motorbikes in my city. Transport of choice for food delivery services. No lights, no helmet, no licence. They are a bloody menace and very dangerous.

I see a fair few people on things that are just one ball with a little platform you stand on , no hands just balancing and leaning left and right with your legs and body weight to steer. In and out of traffic. Now they are dangerous!

This.

They are far more dangerous than a motorcycle. To ride a motorcycle there is a minimum age, you need a licence, you wear protective clothing and a full face helmet.
Motorcycles are ridden on the road. Drivers must be insured so if something goes wrong there's a possibility of compensation.

Which of he above apply to escooters?

They need to be regulated and licensed and be clear about where they can be ridden (road and cycle path for instance, helmet compulsory etc.)
I'm sure there are plenty of other countries who have already solved it. They are affordable and non polluting, we had better get used to them. Although why they are sold when illegal to ride I have no idea.

Agreed.

Part of me thinks 'well, you'll come off worse' when I'm in my two ton pickup but I rely on my license with hgv driving being part of my job, so I'm a bit wary of them weaving around.

Same
Usually stick 2 fingers up and call you pleasant names as they cut in front of your car