E-bikes and E-scooters: A Reading Scourge?

E-bikes and e-scooters have been called "a scourge" on Reading's pavements and pedestrianised areas.

Reading has a mix of cycle lanes and shared spaces used by pedestrians and cyclists, including Southampton Street down to Bridge Street and London Road heading to Cemetery Junction.

In the UK e-bikes with 250-watt motors and a motor limit of 15.5 mph are legal; anything above those limits is illegal. E-scooters are only legal on private land or as part of approved hire schemes.

At the full council meeting on 13 October former mayor Tony Page asked: "Would you agree with me that the use of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters are a scourge on Reading's pavements and pedestrianised areas? How is the council working with Thames Valley Police to crack down on what appears to be a worsening problem? Bearing in mind the continuing widespread sale of these illegal conveyances, not only in local shops but also on the internet, what representations are the council and police making to national government to tackle this problem?"

Finn McGoldrick, lead councillor for community safety, said she agreed. "I do agree that illegal e bikes are a scourge on Reading's pavements, parks and pedestrianised areas."

She told councillors the Labour administration is working with police and national government and has introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in May to tackle anti-social e-bike use. "Since the introduction of the PSPO, 13 warning notices have been issued to individuals riding e-bikes and e-scooters in an anti-social manner."

"Encouragingly, there have been no repeat offenders among those who have received a warning, demonstrating the effectiveness of early intervention and education in changing behaviour," she added, and said repeat breaches can lead to Fixed Penalty Notices and further enforcement.

Mr Page asked why more seizures were not being made. Cllr McGoldrick replied: "You have highlighted the real frustration that we as a council and indeed the police feel themselves in the patchwork pieces of legislation that we are reliant on, and we will continue to work with national government, with the three Reading Labour MPs and with the police, and I think all of us working together in partnership is how we're going to stamp out what all residents tell us is a reality discouraging practice in the town."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter