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Electric scooters in Kent: Are they making our streets unsafe?

We've seen more and more people across Kent buzzing around on electric scooters in recent months.

And while they seem a convenient and environmentally-friendly way of getting around - are the vehicles putting the public at risk?

Are e scooters making the streets of Kent unsafe? Picture: iStock
Are e scooters making the streets of Kent unsafe? Picture: iStock

Have your say by voting in our poll below...

KentOnline revealed yesterday how a student has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after crashing an e scooter into a mum-of-three - leaving her with serious injuries.

Joshua Mpia, 19, had been free-wheeling a privately-owned e scooter at about 20mph along the pavement in Canterbury when he ploughed into Pauline Lilford, who suffered two broken limbs.

Meanwhile, a man from Ramsgate was this week charged with riding one of the two-wheelers while over the legal alcohol limit.

Today, a Gravesend man accused of a similar offence was due to appear in court.

Pauline Lilford was badly injured when she was hit by an e scooter in Canterbury. Picture: Mike Lilford
Pauline Lilford was badly injured when she was hit by an e scooter in Canterbury. Picture: Mike Lilford

And a young boy was warned by police in Maidstone after being caught riding an e scooter dangerously on the street.

The vehicles are illegal to ride in public areas unless rented as part of government-backed trials, like one currently taking place in Canterbury.

This scheme has recently been expanded for a second time, now encompassing peripheral areas outside the city.

But Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott says such trials should be stopped.

He warns inconsiderate riders are becoming a "menace" and that "too many people are using them in places they shouldn't".

Canterbury's Labour MP Rosie Duffield
Canterbury's Labour MP Rosie Duffield

This morning, Canterbury's Labour MP Rosie Duffield also expressed concern - but stopped short of calling for an outright ban.

She tweeted: "I hear from many concerned residents about near-misses and more serious accidents involving e scooters.

"We must iron out these problems as sustainable travel is a vital step towards tackling climate change - but it must not be at the expense of public safety."

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Want to know what it's like to ride an e scooter around Kent? Click here to read how our reporter got on.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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