The use of e-scooters has become a hot topic ever since they started regularly appearing on our streets last year.
Bracknell has been no stranger to e-scooters either, as several have been spotted whizzing around the town centre.
When our Crime Reporter Oliver Sirrell went to The Lexicon one Tuesday, a GAME employee told him he saw scooters driving past the store ‘non stop’ while working there.
The scooters are of dubious legality in the UK. Because e-scooters qualify as ‘powered transporters’ they are therefore required to have MOT, tax, licensing and insurance.
READ MORE: I walked around the town centre to see if e-scooters were a problem in Bracknell
Technically, you are only legally allowed to use e-scooters on private property or as part of a council-headed trial scheme. Therefore riding a privately-owned e-scooter on a public road, or another public place, is an offence.
Despite that, e-scooters are being sold to British customers.
Local Authorities have been given the go ahead to introduce trial e-scooter hires, with Slough Borough Council beginning its trial last October.
Given the presence of the e-scooters, shoppers may ponder whether Bracknell Forest Council will follow suite in setting up a trial e-scooter scheme.
Sadly for scooter fans, there are no such plans for a trial scheme in Bracknell.
Councillor Chris Turrell, executive member for planning & transport for Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Although some local areas are operating e-scooter trials under a process announced by the Department for Transport, we have not applied to participate in trials at this stage. The current Department for Transport trials are aimed at assessing whether e-scooters should be legalised in the UK. Like many local authorities, we are awaiting further output from these.”
It is perhaps not surprising that the scheme has not been taken up in Bracknell, given the compact nature of the town centre. The Lexicon itself is within a mile radius.
According to Google Maps, it is 0.6 miles from the train station to the south to The Avenue Car Park in the north.
Meanwhile, it is 0.7 miles from the swanky new Royal Winchester House apartments in the west to The Old Manor JD Wetherspoon pub to the east of the town centre. Reading Borough Council has not signed up to the e-scooter trial scheme either, despite the scooters regularly seen zipping up and down Broad Street in that town.
The presence of the scooters has divided residents and shoppers in Bracknell.
While some see it as a eco-friendly way of going about town, others have complained about near misses with people riding e-scooters and have highlighted safety fears.
Slough Borough Council was given permission to expand its trial to more areas of the borough in March.
READ MORE: E-scooter rules explained according to Thames Valley Police
So far, three people who have used e-scooters have died in crashes in England.
Influencer Emily Hartridge died in a scooter crash in July 2019. More recently, 20 year old Shakur Pinnock died after being involved a collision while riding a scooter in Wolverhampton on Saturday, June 12. He died six days after the crash and his death is being investigated by police. George McGowan, 19, was also involved in a crash while riding a scooter in Portsmouth on Saturday, June 12. He sadly passed away on Tuesday, June 22.
Rules for e-scooter use have been clarified by Thames Valley Police. They can only be used on private land with the permission of the owner or as part of a council-led trial. Anyone who is found guilty not complying with these rules can be fined £300 and have up to six points placed on their driving licence, if they posess one.
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