Cardiff: Two teenage boys killed in crash before Ely riot

[Nearly Sane]

Could just be a one off but I feel it wouldn't take much for a summer of discontent.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65677472

[SqueakyVoice]

Could just be a one off but I feel it wouldn't take much for a summer of discontent.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65677472

They were riding an electric bike, so it might not be a one off. (I suspect, it could be the first of many.)
These days there are more people using electric bikes and (e)scooters, it's  rare to see cyclists wearing a helmet (the one's I've seen are on pushbikes) and I've never seen any scooter use one.
Motorcyclists have to wear a (safety) helmet. IMO, there should be legislation against using an electric vehicle  with no protection (probably including insurance?).

[Harrowby Hall]

And there were two of them on a single bike.

[jeremyp]

They were riding an electric bike, so it might not be a one off. (I suspect, it could be the first of many.)
These days there are more people using electric bikes and (e)scooters, it's  rare to see cyclists wearing a helmet (the one's I've seen are on pushbikes) and I've never seen any scooter use one.
Motorcyclists have to wear a (safety) helmet. IMO, there should be legislation against using an electric vehicle  with no protection (probably including insurance?).

The rental e-scooters that are legal on the roads are insured, at least they are if the rider is not doing anything illegal like riding on the pavement or carrying a passenger or riding without a driving licence or riding while drunk.

I'd be opposed to requiring helmets for e-scooters because it would dramatically reduce their utility and probably make them non viable commercially.

[SqueakyVoice]

I'd be opposed to requiring helmets for e-scooters because it would dramatically reduce their utility and probably make them non viable commercially.

I'm  not sure how it would 'reduce their utility'? So far every moped user has to be (insured, using a DVLA and either an L plate or not and) wearing a helmet.
So mopeds 'utility' seems to be about right. (Pick ups and deliveries? Some commuting?).
I can recall that there was a (British?) Cycling group who were opposed to enforcing insurance on bikes, I think I'd agree with that if I did re-read their article, but I don't  know if they have any opinion or survey on e-bikes.

[jeremyp]

I'm  not sure how it would 'reduce their utility'?

Because the whole point is that you can just hop on one casually to go to where you want to go. As an example, I'm currently sitting in my office and would normally walk home at the end of the day. If I'm feeling lazy I can hire a Voi with the press of a button in the app and ride one home.

I can't do that if it's illegal to ride one without a helmet because I didn't bring a helmet to the office.

Another example: I frequently use a Voi to get to the railway station, particularly if I'm going to London. I'd stop doing that if it meant I had to lug my helmet around London.

[SqueakyVoice]

They were riding an electric bike, so it might not be a one off. (I suspect, it could be the first of many.)

Now, the second of many. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65850704

Teen on e-bike dies after being followed by police in Salford

[SqueakyVoice]

More from the beeb,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65855198

E-bikes: What is the law and is there an age limit?<..snip>...
Riders [of slower/ less powerful bikes] don't need a licence for an e-bike which meets the government's EAPC standards - and they don't need to be taxed, registered or insured either.

But faster bikes with larger motors are treated the same as mopeds or motorcycles.

This means riders must have a valid driving licence and get their bike insured, registered and taxed like any other vehicle. (Possibly with a helmet as well, but that's not mentioned.)

[SqueakyVoice]

https://liveapp.inews.co.uk/2023/06/09/police-receive-no-training-in-e-bike-chases-as-watchdog-probes-third-death-of-teen-in-a-month/content.html

The College of Policing has extensive guidelines around the pursuit of vehicles including cars, vans and motorcycles that has been updated multiple times over the years – but it specifically excludes pedal bikes.

Richard Cantle, founder of cycling group Stolen Ride, told i: “E-bikes are rapidly rising in popularity, they’re making cycling more accessible to those that would not have considered cycling before.

“Legal e-bikes are speed restricted to 15.5mph. However, there are unfortunately plenty of resources online that show users how to ‘tune’ [derestrict] their bikes.