Scooter concerns resurface

The behaviour of scooter drivers is again in the spotlight.

Cowes resident Anne Schade said young riders on scooters were an accident waiting to happen and it seemed the youngsters were “taking advantage of the lack of police presence on the island”.

“It will only be a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.”

She said she had seen three young girls “precariously balanced on a Vespa-type scooter, which is one among many circumnavigating Cowes at the moment”.

She was concerned the young riders were going to cause an accident, after she encountered the scooter in Police Road last week.

“If it weren’t for one of the passengers alerting the driver of my presence, the driver would have continued to cross the road, which would have placed her and her two passengers right in the path of my vehicle.”

Anne said friends had told her they had also seen scooters carrying three young boys.

Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Morison said he wasn’t aware of any recent reports about scooters, but said if they were causing a problem, people should report it.

“They are only meant to carry one passenger. Anytime there is more than one pillion passenger on the back of a bike, it is fraught with danger,” he said.

He also stressed that Vespa scooters were classed as bikes and riders and passengers should be wearing helmets.

Last July, several residents raised concerns about dangerous driving including scooters being ridden on footpaths and carrying multiple passengers.

In response, local police launched an education campaign to address the issues, but residents say the situation is a bad as ever.

At the time, police said parents and anyone using the scooters had to ensure all safety and legislative requirements were being met.