THE topic of the growing menace of e-scooters has been one which has been edging into the public spotlight in recent months.

Recently, I had my first ‘close shave’ experience of one of these things. Stepping out on to Duke Street to cross the road, I was suddenly met with the quick ‘swoosh’ of an e-scooter rider whizzing past inches ahead of me.

Another step forward and it could have collided into me and left me lying in the middle of the road.

Last I checked, riding a personal e-scooter on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes, or any public space was illegal, though apparently they are permitted on private land with the permission of the land owner.

We are seeing more and more of these things on pavements and roads.

Is there a lazier and more inconsiderate way to travel?

Yet, as far as I can tell, there is no enforcement of the law against them. Do most people even know that they are illegal?

It seems to be yet another issue where the authorities are not willing to enforce the laws we already have in place for good reason.

Do we really need to wait for the inevitable tragedy before we start doing so?

Dentons Green resident