Calls for e-scooter ban as campaigners argue they create 'no-go areas' for visually-impaired people

  • Video report by Victoria Grimes.

There are calls for e-Scooters to be banned after claims they are making city centres a no-go area for those who are partially sighted.

The scooters are becoming common across parts of the North West, with official trials taking place in many cities.

Supporters say they are working to introduce a revolutionary new mode of transport, sustainably and safely, but others say they are dangerous and could cause serious injury.

E-scooter: what are the rules and where can I use one in the North West?
Tom wants every e-scooter "properly tucked away so it is out of the way."

Tom Walker, who is visually impaired, says navigating around town is hard enough when vision is limited, but e-scooters make it much more dangerous: "It's a little bit like being in your own edition of wacky races, only without the fun."

E-scooters for rent in Liverpool. Credit: PA

Naomi Ditchfield, who uses a guide dog to get around says the scooters frighten both her and her dog: "Sometimes these e-scooters will come up to you that quick, either side, that it will make her jump and obviously frighten me."

Naomi says the scooters are "un-nerving" and make her "anxious."

The e-scooters are part of a pilot project in Liverpool but there have been concerns around safety - especially how they are being ridden.

Liverpool Council's Liberal Democrat group leader, Richard Kemp, says there have been a number of injuries due to the scooters.

He said: "Nine people have been hospitalised, even if only briefly, because of these and that doesn't include one of my constituents who was off work for a week because he fell over one in the dark."

The e-scooter operator, Voi, say "almost all" their users are "responsible riders."

Scooter operator, Voi, say they are continuing to "tweak" trials based on feedback from users and would continue to work with the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

They add that trips on their e-scooters have already replaced an estimated 1.4 million car journeys.

Tom says more must be done and believes e-scooters must be banned for now to allow for an "independent review of safety."

He argues that visually impaired people are being "intimidated out of a large part of Liverpool" and telling "any other group in society" that they could not go out into the city centre would trigger an "absolute outcry."