I have previously posted about the growing menace of e-scooters. While I do not normally comment on news stories, and appreciate this particular case involved an e-bike rather than an e-scooter, this recent Sky News article really caught my attention. It was a tragic and completely unnecessary loss of life.
Click Sky News logo for article. Or BBC News version at end of this post.
The teenager involved (Billy Stokoe – 19) has been jailed for riding an e-bike through a zebra crossing and killing a lady (Mrs Stephenson). Now jailed for more than six years, he was reportedly over the cannabis limit while riding the e-bike which the article also strongly suggests was illegal. He has additionally been banned from driving for eight years which, in my opinion, still does not feel long enough considering the circumstances.
First and foremost, this is an awful tragedy for Mrs Stephenson, who lost her life, and for the family she leaves behind. Reports that the rider failed to remain at the scene, alongside the mention of him wearing a balaclava, also stood out to me. I have mentioned before that, in my own experience, balaclavas are far too commonly associated with some e-bike and e-scooter riders.
Something urgently needs to change with the regulation, monitoring and enforcement surrounding these electric vehicles. There also appears to be an increasing disregard for zebra crossings in general. While there were clearly additional factors involved here, including the rider allegedly being over the cannabis limit, I have personally noticed more reluctance from some motorists to stop properly at these crossings. Just this week, I witnessed two vehicles ignore such a crossing while I waited to cross.
As a pedestrian today, it increasingly feels like you need to have your wits about you at all times. At what point will the UK introduce stronger controls around illegal and dangerously modified e-bikes and e-scooters? If this bike was illegal, why was it even being used on public roads?
As this case involved illegal vehicle use, failing to stop at the scene and dangerous riding that resulted in a death, many will understandably question whether the punishment should have been even tougher. Certainly the driving ban should be much longer in my opinion.
My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Mrs Stephenson.
Addition: I have since discovered this better BBC piece on the story which gives more detail.
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