E-scooter safety event for the capital
London Sight Loss Council (SLC) invites blind and partially sighted people and the wider public to an event on Wednesday 6 April (12–2pm) to discuss key issues and concerns regarding London’s e-scooter trials.
The UK’s largest e-scooter trial has grown significantly over eight months with six times the number of e-scooters now operating compared to launch.
With representatives from e-scooter providers – Dott, Lime and Tier, TfL and the Met police, the event will allow attendees to learn more about different e-scooter safety features, how to report an issue and the progress of the London trials. It will also discuss the impact on blind and partially sighted pedestrians in the capital.
Speakers include:
- Georgia Heathman – Public Policy Manager, TIER
- Hal Stevenson – Public Affairs Manager, Lime
- Duncan Robertson – UK General Manager, Dott
- Sgt Steven Wilson –Metropolitan police service
- Helen Sharp – London e-Scooter Trial Lead, TFL
- Elizabeth Garden – Stakeholder & Contracts Manager, TFL
Jacqui Thomas, Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager (London), said: “This event follows the news that three leading e-scooter operators (Tier, Lime, Dott) are coming together to create a consistent audio vehicle alert system (AVAS). Introducing a universal sound could help improve safety across the entire e-scooter industry, helping road users, particularly blind and partially sighted people, identify an approaching e-scooter.”
“Sight Loss Councils have played a key role in the call for the introduction of AVAS and led the research into how these should sound.”
Haren Thillainathan, London Sight Loss Council member, said: “E-scooters have the potential to be part of a more sustainable and low carbon transport future. Unfortunately, irresponsible use of them presents a significant danger to the public, particularly blind and partially sighted people.
“The London e-scooter trial will provide critical evidence and lessons on how they can be better regulated to ensure the safety of pedestrians as well as riders.
We are inviting blind and partially sighted people and the general public to our VI forum to learn about the trial, to raise any concerns and share experiences with electric scooters in the capital.”
The event will take place:
Date: Wednesday 6 April 2022 (12pm – 2pm)
Venue: Pocklington Hub, 3 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR
Publication date: 22 March 2022