Milton Keynes e-scooter hire company to give lessons on disabled pedestrian safety and 'etiquette'

Ford-owned e-scooter company Spin has today announced a partnership with London Vision to educate e-scooter riders.

The sight loss organisation will concentrate on how riders can ensure pedestrians are safe and the etiquette they should show towards people who are blind or visually impaired.

Spin is one of the operators who have been hiring out e-scooters all over MK since last summer. The silent machines travel at speeds up to 15.5mph and can be hired and ridden on redways, minor roads and pavements throughout the city.

Though e-scooters have already been hailed as the ideal enviromentally-friendly and Covid-safe way, they have prompted criticism from some people who say they are potentially dangerous to passers-by unaware they are approaching.

London Vision will provide Spin with a framework of training materials that it will incorporate into a disability awareness safety module.

After completing the module, riders will understand what the different lengths and styles of canes used by visually impaired people represent, as well as appreciate the implications of riding a scooter in the vicinity of a guide dog.

They will also know how to interact with blind and partially sighted people to support and respect their independence in the urban environment, said a Spin spokesman.

"Through the partnership, Spin’s e-scooter riders will be educated on safe riding and etiquette to help protect vulnerable pedestrian groups in the areas Spin operates," he added.

The disability awareness safety module can be accessed online, via the Spin app or via in-person training events when lockdown restrictions ease.

Steve Pyer, UK Country Manager at Spin said, “At Spin, safety is our number one priority. We are always looking for new ways to educate our riders on e-scooter safety and rider etiquette. Partnering with experts like London Vision is a significant step in creating a better, safer, and less fearful relationship between e-scooter riders and blind and partially sighted pedestrians.”

Bhavini Makwana, London Vision's Engagement Manager, said: "We are pleased to be working with Spin to advise on training modules that will help to keep blind and partially sighted pedestrians safer. Our partnership with Spin demonstrates Spin's awareness of the legitimate fears of blind and partially sighted pedestrians and a willingness to ensure that its riders are well trained and as safe as possible".

To ensure that those who are blind or visually impaired can identity the e-scooter, all of Spin’s e-scooters are equipped with labels in braille, which also include contact information for Spin’s customer support team. Riders can also use the bell on the e-scooter to alert pedestrians.