A disabled woman has spoken out about being left 'terrified' and 'sick' of near-misses with electric bikes and scooters on public footpaths, forcing her to step into busy roads to avoid collisions.
'A menace on the pavement': A daily struggle
The woman, who uses the forum Mumsnet and lives with rheumatoid arthritis, described numerous frightening encounters. She said she has been sworn at simply for 'daring to use the footpath' and feels some riders have become emboldened by their electric vehicles.
"The number of times I have almost been hit by one of these... I have had to walk into busy roads," she explained in her post on 10 January 2026. Venting her frustration, she branded the behaviour dangerous and illegal, calling parents who buy the devices for children 'selfish and stupid'.
Community outrage and calls for enforcement
The post resonated with many other users who shared her concerns about safety and a perceived lack of enforcement. One reply stated: "Jumping into the road to avoid a little s****e on an illegal bike/scooter is not OK."
Another comment highlighted the serious risk of injury, noting that a collision at 20mph could cause death or serious harm, whether from a car or an e-scooter. A third user reported seeing a teenager riding at top speed onto a main road with a toddler in front of him, underscoring the reckless use some engage in.
The legal grey area and public safety
Many pointed out the contradiction of these vehicles being easily purchased but illegal to use on both public roads and pavements without meeting specific requirements. The consensus among commentators was that they should be confined to private land with the owner's permission.
References were made to television programmes like the BBC's 'Crash Detectives', which has featured investigations into fatal accidents involving e-scooters, serving as a stark warning. The original poster concluded by expressing relief when she sees confiscated vehicles destroyed, feeling it makes pavements slightly safer for vulnerable pedestrians like herself.
