A Councillor in North East Lincolnshire has written a letter to school headteachers and activity club leaders urging them to take steps to encourage children and young people not to use e-bikes and e-scooters.
Deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for children and education, Councillor Samuel Grice, wrote an open letter asking schools, club leaders and community centre managers to support a renewed safety message around electric scooters and bikes.
The letter follows the tragic death of a child in North Hykeham in Lincolnshire in September.
In the letter, Cllr Grice asked for those in positions of responsibility to:
- Write to parents and carers reminding them of the risks associated with children and young people using e-scooters
- Clearly communicate that privately owned e-scooters cannot legally be ridden on public roads, pavements or other public spaces
- Strongly encourage pupils and young people not to use e-scooters or electric bikes to travel to school, clubs or community facilities
- Ensure pupils understand that not every bicycle advertised as an “e-bike” is legally an electric bicycle
- Where appropriate, include this message in newsletters, assemblies, parent communications and conversations with young people.
Councillor Grice added that, as a parent and a Councillor, the tragedy had left him “absolutely heartbroken.”
Cllr Grice said:
“No family should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child, and my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and everyone who knew and loved them.
“While we cannot change what has happened, I believe we must do everything within our power to prevent another family from experiencing such devastating loss.
“As Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, I want to work with our schools, families, community organisations, police and partners to do everything we reasonable can to protect our young people.”
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