Vote on e-scooter clampdown, but not off-road bikes

By JAMES ALDRIDGE

Local democracy reporter

SAFETY concerns have prompted a call to clamp down on the illegal use of e-scooters and off-road bikes in Reading.

Riding an e-scooter is not permitted on public roads and footpaths, unless part of a hire scheme or ridden on private property.

That hasn’t stopped the spike in e-scooters whizzing round the town, often in pedestrian areas and roads, which has led to safety concerns.

There have been longrunning complaints about dirt bikes being used in parks, including Prospect Park and the Mapledurham playing fields.

The issues were discussed by Reading councillors as part of a motion calling on the council to work more closely with Thames Valley Police to tackle speeding, reckless and dangerous driving, and the unnecessary risk to road users and pedestrians alike – including the illegal use of off-road bikes and e-scooters.

The motion involved the request for the council’s

Unions to hold rally on Saturday

READING will see a demonstration and march on Saturday.

Reading Trades Union Council and Reading Resists have organised the rally and named six key demands they’re supporting.

The rally will be seeking: an end to food poverty, a “real” pay rise for workers, a cut in energy bills, “an end to climate chaos,” higher taxes for the rich, and decent housing for all.

Nikki Dancey, President of RTUC, said: “All over the country trade union members, civic campaign groups and ordinary citizens are saying –enough is enough, we’ve been pushed too far.

“We’re getting poorer and poorer, while the rich are getting richer – we need major government action now to stop the 99% falling further and further behind.” chief executive to write to Thames Valley Police chief superintendent for Berkshire, Sarah Grahame, to undertake a borough-wide initiative to reduce the illegal use of e-scooters and off-road bikes.

Those protesting are invited to assemble in Forbury Gardens at 2.30pm on Saturday, from which the march will go to The Butler on Chatham Street.

A rally will take place at The Butler from 4pm, featuring union speakers and Public and Commercial Services Union’s National President, Fran Heathcote.

A free party will also follow at the venue, featuring live performances from Hard Times, The Highwasters, and Attila The Stockbroker.

The motion was led by Cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) but substantially adjusted by the Labour Party.

Conservative councillors accused Labour members of politicising the issue.

During the debate, Cllr Isobel Ballsdon (Conservative, Caversham Heights) said she had recently heard of two concerning incidents.

In one, an e-scooter “shot out of nowhere” at the pedestrian crossing in Caversham Road, forcing a driver to do an emergency stop.

In the other, a cyclist “whizzed past” an elderly resident in Broad Street, nearly hitting her.

Cllr Ballsdon said: “The council needs to do better. This original motion would have helped move things forward, it would have improved the lives of our residents. The political posturing does [nothing].

“I’d like to be able to go back to my residents and say, ‘I’ve been to a council meeting, we’ve made a difference’.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote) the leader of the council, called the accusation that Labour members politicised the issue ‘inappropriate’.

An amended motion introduced by Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) the lead councillor for transport, was passed.

This instructs the council’s chief executive to write to the Department for Transport asking for clear legislation on e-scooter use. No mention was made of off-road bikes in parks.

In a vote, all Labour, Liberal Democrat and most Green councillors voted for Cllr Page’s motion, with Conservatives voting against it and Cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) abstaining.

It is understood the Liberal Democrats and Greens would have supported Cllr Singh’s unamended motion as well if it came to a vote.