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E-scooter riders caught driving on sidewalks or driving irresponsibly in Nottingham could be forced to undergo training before being allowed to get back on them.
Riders could also be fined an automatic £ 7:50 if they do not leave their scooters in designated parking areas after using them.
Nottingham City Council is due to decide this month whether or not to extend the city-wide trial of the yellow ‘Wind’ electric scooters for hire, which have divided opinions.
Concerns have been expressed about some users driving too fast and, in some incidents, people have been seriously injured after colliding with vehicles.
Supporters of the program say it offers an affordable and more environmentally friendly public transport solution.
City council transportation planner Iain Turner, who oversees the Wind Scooter program, said the number of accidents was relatively low, with as many as six or seven per month.
Common incidents include electric scooters traveling on the sidewalk and then crossing a road where a car stops or enters the path of a pedestrian.
He spoke to advisers and independent members of the Nottingham Local Access Forum on Wednesday, October 13, shortly before the board decided whether or not to extend the program.
During the 12 months of the program, the number of scooters increased from 50 to 750, with 35,000 registered members and 5,000 trips per day.
Mr. Turner said: “It has not been easy. The parking problem has diminished, but the traffic on the roadway has increased due to the increased use.
“There are a lot of times people say that this scooter is badly driven and that there is a real fear of pedestrians, especially those with mobility or visual impairments.”
Mr Turner said the board now has six staff targeting hot spots for driving on the roadway or bad parking and there is a three-step discipline process.
A first warning is a warning text message, the second is a one-week ban, and the third is a total ban.
In July, it was reported that 12 people had been given permanent bans – and 40 people had been temporarily banned.
Almost 1,000 people have also received warnings.
Mr Turner said a fee of £ 7.50 will be given to drivers who leave a scooter abandoned or even outside a parking area and not inside.
He said a number of “no-go” or “slow” zones had been introduced as part of the program, including near the canal, around Nottingham College, parks and the city center.
If the program is extended, Turner said the council would seek to increase fines for those who do not use them responsibly.
Mandatory training will also need to be taken for anyone who will receive a second warning in the future, which is currently only a one-week ban.
Speaking about the program’s popularity with the city’s youth, he said, “For many of these people, this is the first time. They didn’t really cycle around town. They don’t know what the road signs mean.
“We are looking for an online training and quiz platform. What you need to do, such as mastering the bike.
Cllr Linda Woodings (Lab) said she welcomed the extension of a pilot project but understood the concerns of residents, including those with sight and mobility issues.
She was also in favor of compulsory training for those who were aware of their bad behavior.
Committee member Chris Thompson said, “What are the police doing? There must be a way to control anti-social behavior. They look at cars why can’t they make them for these scooters? It’s a shame. “
Mr Turner said community protection officers have worked in areas where problem runners have been reported, which includes days of action.
The Nottingham Local Access Forum also decided to create a subgroup to take a closer look at how the program was being run and to suggest future improvements.
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