'Dangerous e-scooters should not be allowed on our roads'

There is no exercise or health gain for the user, unlike a pedal cycle.

The handlebars are too narrow for one hand riding in order to give directional hand signals.

There is no way of having rear lighting in a suitable place to be visible.

There is already a growing illegal use of privately-owned scooters both on roads and footways which is not being tackled by any authority.

I know of two incidents of e-scooters being ridden by two adults the wrong way up High Street and ridden along Harwich Road between Ardleigh and Parsons Heath in the dark without lights.

Before any trials take place, there are some serious matters to address.

Currently if a cyclist (and presumably scooter rider) collides with a pedestrian, there is no requirement to exchange details.

If the rider clears off, all the pedestrian can do is report it as an assault.

Illegal cycling on footways is already a problem and although scooters will be banned from footways, current illegal use would indicate there will be widespread ignorance of this ban.

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The problem of insurance has to be addressed. This is covered on the hired trial scooters, but what happens to privately-owned scooters.

How could you enforce compulsory insurance without the scooters having licence plates, just like a motor bike?

I fear this is another example of politicians jumping on the “electric” environmental bandwagon without thinking it through.

A more practical approach to relieving congestion and pollution in Colchester would be to develop a fully-integrated public transport system using electric or hydrogen-powered buses with cheap fares and enhanced services with ample point of use information.

I don’t think e-scooters will tempt many people from their cars, they will be those who otherwise might ride a bike or see them as the latest plaything.

Chris Currell

Broad Oaks Park, Colchester