Banning e-scooters outright ignores the real problem: we've failed to enforce existing laws. The 1835 Highways Act already makes private scooters illegal—so why not just enforce that instead of wasting time on a new ban that'll be just as ignored?

History shows that banning a popular technology rarely works—look at the failed bans on segways or hoverboards. What does work is clear regulation and infrastructure, like the bike lane boom after the 1970s cycling deaths.

Will a ban actually reduce injuries, or just push scooters onto private land where there's zero oversight? And how do you stop people from riding them anyway when police can't even tell a legal rental from an illegal private scooter?

A ban could unlock a safer, clearer future for our streets. With e-scooters gone, we can invest in proper bike lanes and pedestrian zones that actually work for everyone.

The pain of these tragedies is real, and the safety data is undeniable. But a blanket ban risks alienating the many people who rely on rental scooters for affordable travel. Could we agree on a middle ground—like mandatory insurance and speed limiters that can't be tampered with—before we close the door entirely?