E-Scooters and E-Bikes Creating Barriers for Visually Impaired Pedestrians, Charity Warns

Concerns are growing over the impact of e-scooters and e-bikes on accessibility in Liverpool city centre, with a local charity warning that poor parking and unsafe riding are discouraging blind and visually impaired people from visiting.

Bradbury Fields Services for Blind and Partially Sighted People says vehicles are frequently being left obstructing pavements, including on tactile paving designed to assist those with visual impairments.

Deputy chief executive Donna Healey-Sharpe said the situation is worsening, with more scooters and bikes appearing across the city each week.

“The e-scooters are often left wherever people choose,” she said. “They’re blocking clear crossing points, including tactile paving, which people rely on to navigate safely.”

The issue is not limited to parking. Visually impaired pedestrians have also raised concerns about rider behaviour, including reports of scooters and bikes running red lights and travelling at speed near pedestrians.

Naomi Ditchfield, who uses a guide dog, said she is often forced into dangerous situations.

“I’m finding them left across the pavement, blocking my path, so my guide dog has to go around them,” she said. “Sometimes that means stepping into busy roads because there’s no space to pass safely.”

She also described encounters with riders ignoring traffic signals and approaching from behind or swerving unexpectedly, adding that the lack of audible warning makes the vehicles particularly difficult to detect.

While acknowledging the environmental benefits of micromobility, Ditchfield said more needs to be done to improve safety, suggesting features such as sound alerts could help.

E-scooters were first introduced in Liverpool over five years ago, with operator Bolt taking over the scheme earlier this year and expanding it beyond the city centre.

In response to the concerns, a Bolt spokesperson said the vast majority of scooters are parked correctly, with more than 98% left in designated bays. The company said users must submit a photo to confirm correct parking before ending a journey, and enforcement measures—including fines and account suspensions—are in place for those who fail to comply.

Bolt also said it operates patrol teams around the clock to keep pavements clear and encourages the public to report poorly parked vehicles through its app or website.

However, campaigners argue that further measures may be needed. Healey-Sharpe suggested that stricter controls on parking and clearer enforcement of where scooters can be used—such as limiting them to cycle lanes—could help address the issue.

She emphasised the importance of prioritising pedestrians, particularly those with additional needs.

“We know this type of transport is here to stay, and it can work well when used responsibly,” she said. “But we need to ensure it doesn’t come at the expense of accessibility. Pedestrians must come first.”

The debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing the benefits of new, sustainable transport options with the need to maintain safe and inclusive public spaces.