'Dumped e-scooters force blind people into road'

E-scooters and e-bikes "left strewn across the pavement" and running red lights are deterring blind and visually impaired people from going into a city centre, a charity has said.

Donna Healey-Sharpe, deputy chief executive at Bradbury Fields Services for Blind and Partially Sighted People in Liverpool, said the vehicles were being left "wherever people choose".

"The e-scooters are often left on tactile paving," she said. "People need to have clear crossing points and they are blocking them."

A Bolt representative said over 98% of Bolt scooters are parked in bays at any given time, patrol teams work to keep pavements clear and the company suspends access for anyone who continues to park badly.

Donna said people who use Bradbury Fields service in Knotty Ash were becoming increasingly concerned about the scooters and bikes across the city.

"Week by week they seem to be increasing in numbers and they seem to be getting faster," she said.

Naomi Ditchfield, who is visually impaired and uses a guide dog, said the irresponsible use of e-bikes and e-scooters was often forcing her "to walk into busy roads to avoid them".

"I'm finding them strewn across the pavement, blocking my way, so my guide dog has to go round them because we can't get past," she said.

"And I've actually had people, when I've been crossing controlled traffic lights, go straight through the red light.

"Or them coming up behind us, or swerving in front of us, which is very unnerving."

She said while she understands "we all need to be environmentally friendly" she said "there needs to be something to let you know that they're around, a siren or something".

E-scooters were first introduced in Liverpool five and a half years ago by operator Voi and Bolt took over the contract in February, expanding the rental scheme outside of the city centre.

At the time Liverpool councillor Dan Barrington said there were clear rules for use and the authority was working closely with Bolt to ensure vehicles were parked correctly.

In a statement a Bolt representative said: "Our approach to parking means over 98% of Bolt scooters are parked in mandatory bays at any given time.

"Users must submit a photo showing how they've parked, and can only end their ride in a Council-approved bay.

"We also have patrol teams out 24/7 keeping pavements clear, and we suspend access and issue fines for anyone who continues to park badly.

"Anyone who spots a poorly parked scooter should report it to us directly through our app or website."

Donna said she knows the new method of transport "is not going away" and she said it worked well when "used properly and appropriately".

"I think we need to reconsider whether they should all be in docked appropriate zones and whether there should be a way to enforce the fact they should be on cycle lanes," she said.

"Until we have a change of policy and parking zones that's never going to happen.

"Unfortunately, some scooter riders just choose the pavement or whichever's the best route for them. But we've got to think about everybody.

"We've got to remember that policy is walk, wheel cycle. It should be pedestrians first."

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