By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are calls for a crackdown on illegal e-scooters and e-bikes in parts of Gloucester outside the city centre amid reports of a rider crashing into a car and leaving the scene.
Police have recently seized 33 of the illegal vehicles in the city centre after a successful partnership operation with Gloucester City Council.
But now there are calls for these efforts to expanded to other parts of the city.
Councillor Stephanie Chambers (C, Quedgeley Fieldcourt) raised the issue at the last cabinet meeting at North Warehouse.
She asked council chiefs to confirm that enforcement action would be extended across the whole of Gloucester.
“I regularly receive reports and witness near misses involving e-scooters, and this week received a report of young people crashing an e-scooter into a resident’s car in Quedgeley and then riding away, leaving the resident unable to recoup the losses for the damage,” she said in a written question.
“Given these ongoing issues, can the cabinet ensure that enforcement and preventative measures are implemented city-wide, not just in the centre.”
Planning cabinet member Sarah Sawyer (LD, Longlevens) said in a written response that the enforcement operation was led by the police as they have the legal powers to seize illegal e-scooters and e-bikes.
“Sergeant Oli Padfield and Special Sergeant Will Weaver are leading Operation Accelerate in Gloucester,” she said.
“The operation aims to remove illegal e-scooters and e-bikes across the entire city, not just within the city centre.
“The police have confirmed that this initiative will continue across all areas of Gloucester for the foreseeable future.
“Alongside enforcement, the operation also focuses on education and awareness through police officers and PCSOs who engage with young people, schools, and the wider community, supported by regular updates and information shared via social media channels.”
Councillor Chambers asked a follow-up question at the October 15 meeting and said she was really pleased work has been done and e-scooters seized.
She asked what work is being done across other parts of the city by the council to tackle the issue.
“We really do want to see it being tackled outside the city centre.”
Community engagement cabinet member Rebecca Trimnell (LD, Westgate) said there have been talks between the City Council, County Council and police over the issue.
And suggested the council could allocate funding to tackle the issue outside the city centre in next year’s budget.
“As you say, it’s a big problem and something needs to be done about it.”
Gloucestershire Constabulary warned anyone riding the illegal vehicles face a £300 fine, six points on a driving licence and the vehicle being seized and destroyed.
“Operation Accelerate aims to remove illegal e-scooters and e-bikes from across Gloucester. Officers are routinely patrolling to target people riding these vehicles illegally and to seize them where appropriate,” a spokesperson said.
“Officers have seen a number of e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden which are not legal, as they cannot be insured or registered for road use.
Anyone using one is committing insurance and driving licence offences.
“Anyone breaking the law risks a £300 fixed penalty notice, six points on a driving licence, and your illegal electric bike or scooter being seized and destroyed.
“Alongside this enforcement, the operation also focuses on education and awareness through schools, youth groups and other wider community meetings. This initiative will continue across all areas of the city for the foreseeable future.”