Yesterday, ministers were accused of having a “cavalier disregard” for road safety. They had quietly changed the law to exclude electric scooter riders wearing helmets.
Nick Freeman, also known as Mr Loophole said that this move was a recipe for disaster.
This exempts riders who are participating in government-backed trials until November.
Helmets had been required previously, since e-scooters are motor vehicles.
Yesterday, ministers were accused of having a “cavalier disregard” for road safety. They had quietly changed the law to exclude electric scooter riders wearing helmets. (File image)
Helmets had been required previously, since e-scooters are motor vehicles. (File image)
Ministers modified Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets Regulations) 1998 to exclude e-scooter riders.
Freeman is an expert in road laws. Sir Alex Ferguson was successfully represented by him.
Transport Department spokesmen confirmed the new policy and said that guidance state helmets were’recommended, but not compulsory’.
Mr Freeman added: ‘This government wants to do everything it can to encourage the use of environmentally-friendly forms of transport.
Nick Freeman, also known as Mr Loophole (above), said that the move was “a recipe for disaster”.
“In their desire to make e-scooters, they have made compromises on road safety. They also showed a disregard for safety by bending the law in such an oblique manner.
“It’s a recipe to disaster. People are getting seriously hurt on the roads.”
This comes just two years after Mail revealed that ambulance calls for incidents involving escooters rose by 540 percent.
As many riders don’t use helmets for riding, the number of deaths from head injuries is on the rise. There have been at least nine cases in the first 10 months.
You can hire e-scooters as part of government-backed tests in over 50 cities and towns across the nation.
These devices only allow you to legally ride on roads.
The government recommends that helmets be worn, but hasn’t made it mandatory for all motor vehicle users.
It is illegal for private e-scooters to be driven on roads.