Passersby in Guildhall Square were asked by The Journal to share their beliefs.
Photos from Joshua Kingh.
1. Joe Cross
Joe Cross, from the Waterside, said he doesn’t think a ban is the answer. “I don't think they should be banned. They’re a useful way of getting around, a lot of people use them to get to work, which takes traffic off the road. But I don’t know… maybe there should be better lanes for them. There should be some sort of restraint or regulation. If someone is driving recklessly, they should be pulled up about it. “I wouldn’t ban them, but I think they should be regulated.” Joe added that e‑scooters should stay on cycle lanes and have no place on the roads. “It’s bad enough driving around in a car on those roads,” he said. Photo: Joshua Kingh
2. Sally Baldnick
Sally Baldnick, originally from New Zealand and now living in the Netherlands, was visiting family in Derry when asked for her view. “I think they have their place,” she said. “I don’t think they necessarily need to be banned, but there should be clear safety rules and boundaries, around speed, helmets, and where they’re allowed to operate. “In the Netherlands, there have been a lot of issues with rising accident numbers because of the speed. “I think they’re safer on cycle lanes; they don’t belong on the road.” Photo: Joshua Kingh
3. Hannah Webber
Hannah Webber, from England and visiting Derry, said she doesn’t believe e‑scooters should be banned but is concerned about pedestrian safety because of how quietly they operate. “I don’t think they should be banned completely, because they’ve helped a lot of people get places faster,” she said. “But the lack of sound means there’s no awareness for people on the pavement. I don’t think they should be on pavements at all, they should be on the road or in a cycle lane. “The speed they go, and the fact they’re electric so you can’t hear them, means that when you’re walking, especially with one coming up behind you, there’s no awareness. There’s a higher risk of accidents happening. “If they are on the pavement, there has to be a strict speed limit.” Photo: Joshua Kingh
4. Annette Doherty
Annette Doherty from the Asylum Road believes that e-scooters should possibly be banned for the safety of children, she added that she would also like to see penalties for high speed e scooters on pedestrian walk ways. Photo: Joshua Kingh