Pensioner calls on police to crack down on people riding e-scooters along The Leas in Folkestone after he was almost hit

A concerned pensioner is calling on police to crack down on people riding electric scooters at a popular beauty spot after he was almost hit.

Malcolm Edward Brooks says people using electric vehicles along The Leas in Folkestone need to be better educated that driving on public roads is illegal.

Police insist they regularly patrol the city and stop and talk to e-scooter users, and have urged parents not to let their children use them.

Brooks, who lives on The Leas, says it was full of elderly people, dog walkers and families when he almost stumbled onto the cliff walk during his daily walk.

The 79-year-old moved slightly to let a man on a scooter pass when an electric scooter came up behind him at “incredible speed.”

“I didn’t even know it was there,” he said.

“He practically touched my arm. If I moved another foot, he would catch me right in the middle of my back – he wouldn’t be able to avoid me because he was going so incredibly fast.

“I just thought how lucky I was. The shock alone would have exhausted me, but it really annoyed me that someone was stupid enough to do this when it was very busy.

“No doubt someone will get killed because of this. If he hit someone, it would do a lot of damage.

“And I’m not alone in this experience. Many older couples are in the same situation.

“It would be nice if the ban was implemented and people were educated that what they are doing is illegal.”

Brooks also fears a serious incident involving an e-scooter could leave people in The Leas too frightened. He believes that the signs should be updated, which currently only say that bicycles, skateboards and roller skates are prohibited.

The regulations surrounding electric scooters are often misunderstood. Owning such a vehicle is permitted, but driving it on public roads, including sidewalks, is illegal, except in government-backed attempts.

Kent County Council previously pioneered a partnership with transport technology company Bird to add e-scooters to Canterbury city center in what was initially announced as an innovative way to help tackle climate change and poor air quality in the city.

However, safety concerns have been repeatedly expressed. In July 2022, 80-year-old Sarah Carter broke her wrist, jaw and cheekbone after being struck by one of the city’s electric vehicles.

After two years, the partnership ended in what one of many critics concerned about the potential risk to other road users described as “a good day for Canterbury”.

A spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe District Council said this week: “Electric scooters can only be used on private property and not on public roads, cycle paths or footpaths.

“Any near misses or concerns regarding the use of an e-scooter in the district should be reported to police.”

The police also confirmed that fines may be imposed on cyclists.

Sergeant Paula Cutter, from Folkestone’s Community Safety Unit, said: “It is currently illegal to use e-scooters on public streets, footpaths and cycle paths.

“They are only allowed on private land, with the consent of the landowner, and in those parts of the country where the government has allowed trials.

“I urge people not to buy or use electric scooters as they may be dangerous to you or others. I also strongly encourage parents not to let their children use them.

“Beaty officers in Folkestone regularly stop and talk to people who use e-scooters, trying to inform them about the laws surrounding their use.

“When people ride e-scooters in an anti-social way, we can issue fines and seize and destroy the machines.”