Should electric bikes and scooters be banned from public places? Sheffield residents share their thoughts

Sheffield councillor Ian Horner has called for people to report off-road motorbikes and scooters after only narrowly avoiding getting hit by one.

He says that he often associates this time of the year with a rise in bike nuisance and people causing problems on vehicles.

“We’ve got to tackle this – it’s really, really dangerous. I was nearly knocked down on the street by someone on an electric bike,” saidm Coun Horner.

“You see kids on their bikes doing wheelies down the road. Where are they getting that from – seeing people on bikes doing this.”

Coun Horner explained that the person that nearly hit him was clad head to foot in black, with only their eyes visible.

“There is no place for them and they’re actually making it easier for crime to be committed because they’re so cheap, they’re so easy to get hold of and they are so manoeuvrable.”

Similarly, The Star also covered a story on Esther Carr of Hillsborough last year, who said at the time that she had narrowly avoided being hit by an electric bike or scooter speeding at up to 30mph on the pavement several times per week.

Many people often feel intimidated and afraid as a result of off-road motorbikes and scooters.

With that in mind, we asked our readers to share their opinions on them and whether they think the vehicles should be banned in public places.

Steve Ferris shared many of Coun Horner’s concerns. He said: “Yes, ban them. Coming out of a shop at Meadowhead a scooter nearly knocked me flying.”

Gillian Jackson added: “Yes. They are always on the pavements. Someone nearly ran into me on an e-scooter.”

Jill Platts explains that the issue spreads beyond Sheffield.

She said: “Having just spent a weekend in London with them whizzing everywhere I couldn’t agree more with them being banned.”

Naomi Evans said: “Absolutely, I think people who use them should take a test and have a licence to use them.”

Pat Godfrey agreed, adding: “I was nearly hit by one. I’m 92 and walk with a stick. Enough said.”

Jane Price said: “They should not be allowed to ride in pedestrian areas. In Sheffield they whizz around at great speed. It's crazy! Do they have insurance to cover any damage done to a pedestrian?”

Mary Leach said: “They should ban riders from using them on the pavement. I have had a couple of near misses from them speeding on the pavement.”

Others, however, argued that the blame shouldn’t lay solely with the vehicles - claiming it’s often the drivers that are the issue.

Nicolas Adams said: “No, the bikes are fine, it’s the rider.”

Jason Crop-dog Cropper said: “It’s the rider not the vehicle. Exactly the same as a car/ motorbike, it’s the driver that’s the problem. If it’s that much of an issue, charge a minimum amount of road tax. If they haven’t paid for it, take it away as easy as that.”

Dean Flinder added: “No. If riding properly but yes if they are being used stupidly.”