Llanelli deputy mayor raises fresh safety fears over youngsters riding e-scooters

The deputy mayor of Llanelli has raised concern over the number of e-scooters being ridden around the town illegally by children and youngsters, often without wearing helmets.

County councillor, Cllr Philip Warlow claims parts of the town are being used as race tracks for the scooters and wants authorities and parents to work together to curb the use of them due to safety fears.

In one recent example he said he saw a young parent allow a toddler to ride one.

Cllr Warlow, said: "She and her toddler got on and sped off up the road, neither of them had a safety helmet or any other form of protection, so were at serious risk if they came across a speeding driver or any other hazard."

He added: "They are illegal on public roads and I cannot understand why parents are allowing their children to use them."

"Surely it is time for the authorities to start clamping down on the illegal use of these scooters and parents to take into account the risk to their youngsters who ride around the streets without helmets and any concerns that come with owning these scooters."

While e-scooters can be privately owned, it is illegal to ride them on public roads, pavements, parks and cycle paths.

E-scooters can only be used on private land with the permission of the landowner.

There is currently no legal age restriction, but it is not recommended that anyone under the age of 16 should ride them.

The e-scooter is defined as “powered transporters” by the UK Government and because of the way they are motorised and designed, they fall within the legal definition of a motor vehicle.

Cllr Warlow added: "They are often ignoring any safety requirements that go along with using the roads and pavements as racing tracks."

"Although they are legal to own, they can only be used on private land not on the streets and pavements like they are on the streets of Llanelli."

"It is a daily occurrence to see these electric scooters whizzing down busy roads and along pavements of terraced streets, where a major injury to some pedestrian is only waiting to happen.

"Youngsters riding the scooters with passengers is also a common sight."

"In the past 12 months it has become obvious that the preferred mode of transport for the younger generation is the e-scooter and they are easily bought from major retailers locally."

Previously Dyfed-Powys Police has warned of the dangers of riding the scooters and they are not toys, and every care should be taken by youngsters when using them - providing they are legally old enough and properly licensed with at least a provisional driving licence.

Speaking following the concerns raised by Cllr Warlow, a police spokesman said: "We are aware of people’s concerns around the use of e-scooters on our streets and officers have been taking action.

“Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) in Llanelli have carried out operations to target their use on public land, engaging with, and educating, adults and children seen using them.

"Officers have visited all secondary schools and some primary schools to deliver presentations on the laws around the use of e-scooters.

"They have also visited every shop that sells e-scooters in the area.”