Pedestrians have backed a proposed ban on e-scooter riders wearing headphones while riding. MPs are calling for greater rules for both cyclists and scooter riders following a series of fatal incidents.
Across the UK nine people were killed in collisions last year involving e-scooters and there were 1,280 crashes involving e-scooters, which resulted in 1,359 casualties. Nottinghamshire was the second worst area in the country for e-scooter crashes with 74 incidents taking place across the region in 2021.
The worst in the country is the Metropolitan Police area, with 510 incidents. Wearing headphones while riding e-scooters is not currently against the law but Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the parliamentary advisory council for road safety, wants it to change.
Read more: Nottinghamshire reports second highest number of e-scooter crashes in England
Nottingham resident Tom Chapman, 50, said: "I agree with the plan. E-scooter riders should not wear headphones when they are on the roads, how can they hear what is going on around them. It's just too dangerous."
Sophie Fleming, 27, from Carlton said: "It's crazy to think people wear headphones when using them. It is not safe for anyone on the roads." John Parker, 66, from Arnold, added: "I think it is about time. Something needed to be done about those e-scooters.
"They are always causing some kind of bother for people. It is very dangerous to be riding one with earphones on." Ann Jones, 78, from Bestwood said: "You see people riding them all over the place. They don't seem to care about other people on the pavements and roads. It is too dangerous and I'm glad someone is doing something about it."
Superpedestrian runs the rental Link e-scooters in Nottingham and allows anyone with a full or provisional driving license to use them. E-scooters that are part of the Government trial are limited to 15.5 miles per hour.
Since the start of the e-scooter trial in the city in October 2020, riders have taken 1.6 million trips. The company has recently implemented a £1 unlock fee for the scooters but it does not seem to have put people off using them.
A spokesperson for Superpedestrian said: "We at Superpedestrian are looking forward to further e-scooter regulation, as announced after the Queen's speech, to ensure safe riding. We will continue to be in full compliance with the law once new regulations are introduced.
"Safety is our top priority, and we run monthly rider education sessions in addition to promoting safe riding through in-app quizzes and in-person events."
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “The Nottingham e-scooter rental trial is one of a number of Government-backed trials taking place across England. The rules and standards have been set by the Department for Transport and our trial is compliant with all the national requirements.
"Should Government revise the rules and require riders not to wear headphones, we would look with our operator at how this could be implemented.”
Across the UK, it has been reported that a number of people have died due to e-scooter riders and cyclists wearing headphones. Peter McCombie, 72, died of head injuries after being hit by cyclist Ermir Loka, who was listening to music.
In June last year, 19-year-old e-scooter rider George McGowan was killed after he was hit by a car while listening to music on his headphones. France and Spain banned the wearing of headphones while riding bikes many years ago, while Portugal and Italy allow one ear only. In the USA, rules differ from state to state.
