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12
Aug
Call for clampdown on e-scooter delivery drivers in Harrogate
A former Harrogate councillor has called for police and the council to clampdown on food delivery riders who use electric scooters on pavements.
Victoria Oldham, who was the last mayor of the Harrogate borough in 2022/23, said Harrogate was “rife with food delivery guys riding electric bikes on the pavement, particularly down to the lights on Parliament Street”.
She added: “They are bad enough on the roads but on the pavements they are an accident waiting to happen.”
Ms Oldham said it was great to see businesses flourishing but questioned why nothing was being done to stop pavement riders when they were likely to be captured on CCTV cameras.
She added:
If I were still chair of licensing under the old regime I would call in the police, review the fast-food outlets and question street rangers if they are still operating.
In an ideal world, the delivery people would be licensed as part of a national scheme, show a badge on their bikes for traceability and undergo courses. The whole system needs regulating but seems broken.
Ms Oldham, a Conservative who represented Washburn, also questioned how many riders were properly insured and understood the Highway Code.
The Stray Ferret put her concerns to North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police.
A council spokesperson said it was a police matter, but added the council’s community safety hub worked with police to tackle anti-social behaviour.
A police spokesperson said its Harrogate neighbourhood policing inspector wasn’t aware of any specific issues. They added:
The Harrogate neighbourhood policing team will consider any reports and ensure any contraventions are dealt with appropriately, which may include working with businesses. Anti-social behaviour can be reported to North Yorkshire Police on the force’s website or by calling 101.
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