Readers react to Portsmouth City Council's trial e-scooter scheme

By Richard Lemmer

Published 2nd Apr 2021, 13:56 BST

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HUNDREDS of readers have been debating the new e-scooters seen across the city – with some residents calling them a ‘dangerous menace’.

Last month, Portsmouth City Council launched an e-scooter hiring scheme, which sees 100 of the electric vehicles available from 17 docking stations across the city.

During the first 30 days of the six-month trial, the scooters have been limited to speeds of 10mph – but now they can reach 15mph.

Portsmouth e-scooters divide opinion: Are they a fun and greener way of travel? ...

The scooters are provided by Voi, with team members Jon Hamer, Maria Sassetti and Nikolina Kotur showing off the e-scooters at Portsmouth Guildhall walk during the launch of the hiring scheme. Picture: Habibur Rahman

The scooters are provided by Voi, with team members Jon Hamer, Maria Sassetti and Nikolina Kotur showing off the e-scooters at Portsmouth Guildhall walk during the launch of the hiring scheme. Picture: Habibur Rahman

The introduction of the new form of transport on roads and pavements has solicited strong reaction from readers of The News.

More than 260 comments have been shared on recent Facebook posts from The News about the e-scooters.

‘A dangerous menace’ was the summary from more than one reader.

Karen Frearson said: ‘A dangerous menace. I have seen people on them taking their child to school with the child on the front and neither have helmets or any sort of protection. I cannot understand some people - no responsibility whatsoever.’

Another reader, Brian Harrington, agreed: ‘A dangerous menace both on the roads and the pavements, young kids riding two up, weaving in and out of parked cars and on and off pavements.’

Car drivers highlighted their use as an added hazard on the road.

Annie Poon said: ‘As a car driver, it is very scary when the people on the e-scooter are waving about on the actual roads.

‘It’s only a matter of time that there will be an increase in casualties now that the weather is nice outdoors.’

On the first day of the trial, a woman required emergency medical attention after she fell off a hired e-scooter.

But plenty of readers were quick to defend the scooters, highlighting their environmental benefits.

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Neil Hood said: ‘Definitely good to reduce emissions in the city. Saves a fortune on public transport. In the right hands these are a good idea.

Dave Underwood agreed: ‘A great way to save the environment, I'd have to either drive my car or get a diesel bus down to the Guildhall.’

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