Police are reporting a surge in seizures of e-bikes with more than 500 taken off the roads in a year. That’s hardly surprising to law-abiding drivers and pedestrians who are being continually put at risk by e-bike maniacs.
Driver's Story Highlights Danger
Gemma Davidson is one such driver and she tells her story in the Daily Record today. She was hit by an e-biker doing a wheelie in the middle of the road. The mum is demanding action from the authorities to crack down on young men causing chaos with these bikes.
We agree that it’s time for police, local authorities and MSPs to take action. Properly driven, these environmentally friendly e-bikes could revolutionise city centres. They are quick and easy to ride and create zero emissions.
Balanced Approach Needed
If more of us took to the streets in these instead of using the car, our cities would be far less polluted. That’s why a full ban would be a step too far. But those who put others – and themselves – at risk by driving them recklessly should face tougher consequences.
Cops already have powers to seize the bikes. But there needs to be tough criminal sanctions against those who break the rules. That should include jail for the worst offenders – and lengthy driving bans for anyone caught putting lives at risk. The prospect of never getting allowed a driving licence might be enough of a deterrent to set these dafties on the right path.
Anti-Social Behaviour Issue
Another issue affecting too many Scots is the rising tide of anti-social behaviour in our cities and towns. Many of us will have experience of dealing with drug-taking, loutish behaviour or noise from nasty neighbours. But for the residents of Glasgow’s Queens Park, this kind of behaviour has become an every day occurrence.
The nearby Queens Park Hotel has long been a magnet for anti-social behaviour, housing people with serious problems. Those living there are in desperate need of support but living in a B&B does them no good – and makes life hell for those living nearby. The whole thing is funded directly by the council tax payers of Glasgow.
One neighbour has spoken out in the Daily Record today to demand the hotel is closed down. That is certainly worth considering. But the bigger problem is a chronic lack of decent social housing which means too many people are simply dumped in temporary hotels. There is no quick fix for that problem but we could start by building far more decent homes for affordable rents.
