Latest news with #escooters
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Residents concerned over children riding e-scooters on roads as accidents increase
The number of electric bikes and e-scooters being recklessly operated by unlicensed teenagers is on the rise, according to concerned UAE residents. Whether riding alone or in groups, these minors are seen navigating busy roads and traffic lanes with little to no experience, often ignoring traffic laws and without any parental supervision. With e-scooters already popular, electric bikes have now emerged as the latest trend among Generation Alpha. According to parents interviewed by Khaleej Times, many children are requesting these bikes as gifts as soon as they reach their teenage years, claiming that 'everyone their age' already has one. Residents have voiced serious concerns about children riding these bikes on public roads, particularly in residential neighborhoods. Many young riders display reckless behaviour that not only endangers themselves but also poses a distraction to drivers. Authorities in Dubai have warned that parents could face legal consequences if their children violate safety regulations. As part of its 'Crime and Lesson' series, the Dubai Public Prosecution highlighted a case involving a 13-year-old girl who was injured while crossing the road on her e-scooter. It was later revealed that her father had gifted her the scooter as a reward for good academic performance. The parents were subsequently referred to court for negligence and endangering a child's life. Fatal consequences In 2024, Dubai recorded 254 e-scooter and bicycle-related accidents, resulting in 10 fatalities and 259 injuries, 17 of which were serious. The issue has become even more pressing in 2025, with two e-scooter-related deaths occurring within just three days in February - both involving minors aged 15 and 9. Dubai enforces strict regulations on e-scooter and e-bike use, including a minimum rider age of 16. In April, authorities launched a dedicated Personal Mobility Monitoring Unit to oversee violations involving cyclists and e-scooter users. The initiative aims to enhance traffic safety and ensure compliance with established safety protocols. 'Irresponsible behaviour' Abdulrahman Mubarak, a 29-year-old resident of Al Barsha, expressed his concern: 'Even though I'm not a father, it hurts to see children riding these bikes in the streets without any supervision.' He shared that during his afternoon runs, he often sees groups of children aged 11 to 13 riding multiple electric bikes, sometimes on sandy trails, other times on the road. 'I've seen two or even three children riding on a single bike,' he said. 'What shocked me the most was the excessive weight on one bike. They ended up falling, but thankfully, it was on sand, not the road, so no one got hurt.' Abdulrahman urged parents to monitor their children closely and not to give in to demands without fully understanding the risks involved. Sabta Hassan recalled a frightening incident when a teenage biker suddenly began performing a wheelie directly in front of her car on a main road. 'I had to slam on the brakes because my children were with me in the car. It was a hazardous situation,' she said. She added that such reckless behaviour puts not only the riders but also others at serious risk, noting that many of these teenagers enter the streets without paying attention to traffic or using designated area.. She urged parents not to give in to their children's requests to buy such bikes, 'These bikes don't guarantee their safety; in fact, they could be the reason they get hurt or hurt someone else,' she added. She also called on the authorities to conduct more inspections in residential neighborhoods and take action to limit the possession of these bikes, helping to ensure the community's safety. Rules and Regulations Many residents are calling on parents to take greater responsibility by supervising their children and enforcing rules around the use of electric bikes. Operating such vehicles at a young age is not only unsafe—it's illegal. The growing trend is seen by many as a consequence of parental neglect, putting young lives at risk and disrupting community safety. Current regulations require riders to: Authorities routinely seize hundreds of e-scooters and bicycles each month for violations such as riding in prohibited areas, including roads and pedestrian walkways.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Phone snatchers' e-scooters to be CRUSHED within hours of seizure amid police crackdown on London's mobile theft epidemic
E-scooters and e-bikes driven by brazen phone snatchers are to be destroyed by police within hours of being seized amid a crackdown on London 's mobile theft epidemic. Previously officers had to warn offenders before taking away and crushing a bike, scooter or any other vehicle driven in an anti-social manner or if it was used to facilitate a theft. But now, new powers will mean police won't have to wait two weeks before throwing them away and will be able to do so in a two-day time frame. Ministers argued that the current two-week deadline made it less challenging for offenders to re-obtain their vehicles, meaning little discouragement against repeat offending. And while e-bikes and scooters have increasingly annoyed pedestrians, they too are being more frequently used to snatch mobile phones out of the hands of unassuming walkers. According to Metropolitan Police figures, 66,528 phones were stolen in the capital in the year leading up to September 2024, Over the same period in Westminster, 22,253 thefts were reported equating to 85.4 incidents per every 1,000 people. Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, told the Telegraph: 'Anti-social and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks. 'By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we're giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve. 'As part of our Plan for Change, these new powers send a clear message that anti-social behaviour, whatever form it takes, will not be tolerated in our local communities.' The Government are also looking to hike up fines for seizing, towing and crushing vehicles, as a previous consultation found fees were last increased nearly two decades ago in 2008. It comes as Scotland Yard has decided to fight back against London's mobile theft epidemic by using invisible DNA. Officers hope that marking e-bikes, an increasingly popular mode of getaway for marauding robbers, will allow them to track, catch and prosecute suspects. They are also spraying riders' clothes and skin with the invisible dye, which contains a unique DNA code only seen under UV light. The substance, known as SelectaDNA, sticks on a target for several months allowing police to link them to a specific theft via the special code. The innovative method is being introduced in various hotspots around the country including London, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Scotland. Inspector Dan Jones, who leads the Watford neighbourhood policing team in Hertfordshire, said: 'It's another tool in our box of tactics to make it increasingly difficult for criminals to operate. 'The spray will enable us to identify those responsible without the need to engage in risky high-speed pursuits. 'We want this to serve as a warning to those involved – expect a knock on the door, because we will catch up with you.' The spray is also being trialled in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland and Sergeant Callum Dalgleish-Little said: 'We know that antisocial behaviour particularly in residential areas, public parks, and cycle paths, is concerning for local communities. 'This spray will help officers have another tool at their disposal to detect and deter such criminality. 'The spray is deployed by trained officers and can be used on bikes we believe to be stolen or ridden illegally.' It comes as London has been hit with a phone snatching epidemic, with the issue reaching crisis point as victims as young as four being targeted. Discussing the problem, Paul, who works by the London Eye, previously told MailOnline: 'I see it all the time. I would say every day. It's worst around this touristy part of London - particularly along Westminster Bridge. 'It happens to tourists a lot because they're unaware. I try to warn them but it doesn't always work. 'One time, a family asked someone to take a photo of them in front of the London Eye. And the guy they chose ran off with their phone. 'Usually though, they come past on their bikes and snatch the phone before anyone has a chance to react. It's a real issue.' The 51-year-old said he sees the same culprits at work repeatedly, adding: 'There are groups of them who are here all the time,' Paul said. 'The police know about them. 'I've had them trying to steal my phone too. Even though they know that I know who they are. It's bold.' Ovye, who works for a bus tour company, said the thieves target 'anyone' - and that even children aren't off limits. He said: 'It can happen to anyone. I once saw someone snatch a phone out of a little girl's hand while she was taking a picture. She can't have been more than four years old. Unbelievable.' Met Police commander, Owain Richards, told MailOnline: 'We understand the impact that mobile phone theft can have on victims – it's an invasive and sometimes violent crime - and we're committed to protecting Londoners and tackling this issue as we make the capital safer. 'Met officers are targeting resources to hotspot areas, such as Westminster, Lambeth and Newham, with increased patrols and plain clothes officers which deter criminals and make officers more visibly available to members of the community. 'We continue to use data and technology to build intelligence and track stolen items to target offenders. We are also working with phone firms to 'design out' the ability for phones to be reused and sold on as we seek to dismantle the criminal market that fuels robbery and theft. 'We encourage people to report as soon as they can whenever they have been a victim of mobile phone theft, so officers can investigate swiftly.'
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Bird Canada, HRM partner to bring e-bikes and e-scooters to residents
Three-hundred e-bikes and 300 e-scooters are now available for rent in Halifax. Canadian company Bird Canada rolled out their e-bikes and e-scooters across the Halifax region on Thursday. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) partnered with Bird Canada on a two-year pilot program to introduce 300 e-bikes and 300 e-scooters, which will expand over the pilot period. The new program will roll out in phases to certain areas of the municipality. They will have designated parking zones and can be accessed using the Bird app. The first phases includes areas in: Halifax Dartmouth Fairview Spryfield Westphal Woodside Later phases will expand to communities such as Burnside, Bedford and Sackville. 'The municipality is partnering with United Way and Bird Canada on a more equitable micromobility initiative including Flex Fare Zones and a Community Pricing Program to reduce barriers to access so that more people can be introduced to micromobility,' a news release from the municipality says. The maximum speed for the e-bikes and e-scooters is 25k/h. Riding is permitted on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h, in bike lanes, on multi-use pathways and in certain parks. Riding is not permitted on sidewalks. 'No ride zones' such as high pedestrian areas or restricted areas will bring the devices to a complete stop. 'Slow ride zones' will limit the devices speed to 15km/h. These zones can be seen on the Bird app. The e-bikes and e-scooters are equipped with helmets that must be worn by riders. Riders must be 18 and over to register but 16 and 17-year-old riders may register if a waiver is signed by a parent or guardian. The steps of renting the e-bikes or e-scooters are: Download the Bird app Find an available e-bike or e-scooter Unlock it Wear the helmet Ride safely Park in a designated zone Bird Canada e-scooters Bird Canada e-scooters are seen parked on a Halifax sidewalk. (CTV Atlantic/Jonathan MacInnis) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
E-scooter laws get a major shakeup in NSW: What you need to know
E-scooters will soon be legal to ride in public across NSW, including on shared paths, bike lanes, and local roads - but strict speed and age limits will apply. The Minns government is set to propose that e-scooters become legal with a speed limit and some other restrictions on Tuesday in response to a parliamentary inquiry. E-scooters are currently illegal to ride in public in NSW outside local government trial areas. The proposal will see e-scooters become legal to ride with a speed limit between 10-20km/h on shared paths and a 20km/h speed limit on 50km/h and below roads. Segregated cycle paths will also be included in the proposal. E-scooters will remain illegal for anyone under 16 to ride in public, while e-bikes are permitted on roads, cycle paths, and footpaths for the same age group - provided they are not solely powered by a motor and have a maximum power output of 200 watts. Transport Minister John Graham said that the devices are creating an evolution in how people move around. 'That's a good thing, but we need to get the balance right. 'There's still a lot of work to do but this provides a clear path forward when it comes to properly integrating and regulating this relatively new form of transport. 'We recognise the community's concerns, particularly around device modification, fire risk, discarded shared e-bikes and poor rider behaviour – which is why we're taking action.' NSW are expected to bring in the changes in the next few months, but no exact date has been confirmed. Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison admitted she was not yet sure who would enforce those speed limits, with neither local councils or police seemingly keen to take on the task. Councils believe they do not have the resources or power, while an undermanned police force is already struggling with staffing issues. 'We know that is an area of challenge, but obviously, like all traffic, police are predominantly the ones responsible for enforcement,' Ms Aitchison said. 'We'll be, of course, speaking to the police about how that can happen and what's the most effective way to do that enforcement.' She reminded road users that it is still illegal to ride e-scooters in public until the new laws come into effect. Doctors used the parliamentary inquiry to urge MPs not to legalise the scooters for kids after a sharp increase in children presenting to emergency rooms with crash injuries. NSW estimates there are around 1.35 million e-micromobility devices in homes statewide, with almost half of those used to connect with public transport.
