Anyone who has attempted to cross a busy road on foot in recent years has likely seen a delivery driver sail past on a large e-bike. Their usage has soared over the last six years since the demand for home deliveries during the pandemic.
These bikes are substantially faster than ordinary pedal bikes and significantly heavier, meaning a collision with a pedestrian risks serious injury. Many of the drivers rent the e-bikes from their employers and are completely unlicensed.
They are, quite simply, a menace. Many drivers follow the rules of the road but you don’t have to look far for evidence of e-bikes mounting pavements, running through red lights or ignoring 20mph speed restrictions.
It’s a similar story with e-scooters. While these vehicles are typically not used for food deliveries, they are still capable of speeds up to 50mph. And many of their young owners think nothing of breaking the law and driving them along pavements.
This situation has been allowed for too long and a crackdown on those responsible is long overdue. The SNP government said it was committed to increasing the powers the police have to confiscate and retain e-bikes and e-scooters.
That can’t happen soon enough. Responsibility also lies with Westminster, which holds powers on registration and licensing over off-road vehicles.
But there can be no more excuses. Drivers who break the law should be fined and their bikes confiscated.
Summer holiday time is almost here and many of us will be looking forward to jetting off on a sunny trip abroad. But as the Daily Record reports today, unruly antisocial behaviour is becoming in increasing problem – doubling in the last year at Scotland’s busiest airport.
Such antics are a nuisance to the vast majority of travellers, who just want to get to their destination in peace. But there is also a safety issue, with airport staff stopped from doing their jobs if they have to deal with rowdy behaviour.
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There’s no doubt that alcohol plays a part in antisocial behaviour in our airports and demands are growing for increased restrictions on the 24-hour boozing that goes on in travel hubs. A crackdown would be unfortunate as many of us enjoy a drink when we head off on holiday.
But if some can’t control their bevvying and bad behaviour at the airport, the days of the 5am airport pint might become a thing of the past.
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