E-scooters are 'menace' for the blind, says campaigner

West Midlands campaigner warns e-bikes and e-scooters in pedestrian zones are a menace, prompting Coventry City Council to seek PSPO updates. NFBUK’s Street Access Coordinator, Sarah Gayton, described how riders can confront visually impaired pedestrians, urging authorities to widen protections. The council’s proposed PSPO would shift from activity-based prohibitions to behavior-based rules aimed at harassment, alarm or distress. Coventry’s 2023 PSPO already restricts riding in a defined city-center area; a government-backed rental trial ended in 2023, rendering public e-scooter use illegal, while e-bikes remain legal with a 15.5 mph limit. Gayton pressed for police action and broader education, arguing a city-wide ban could be considered if safety cannot be ensured.