This is the moment a hooded man on an e-scooter riding illegally on the road is almost hit by a taxi as he crosses a mini-roundabout without giving way.
The taxi driver working in central London said he witnessed two near misses in the space of just four minutes as e-scooter riders flouted the law on the capital’s roads.
In the first video, both of which were caught on the taxi driver’s dashcam, the driver approaches a mini-roundabout at the Nothing Hill Gate junction of Kensington Park Road and Pembridge Road.
This is the moment an e-scooter speeds up to a mini-roundabout and into the path of a taxi
The man, who is riding the e-scooter illegally on the roads of London, slows down in taxi’s path
The taxi driver says the e-scooter rider hurled abuse at him before continuing on his way
As the driver, who has asked to remain anonymous, enters the roundabout, a hooded e-scooter rider scoots straight into the car’s path.
The video shows the rider slow down temporarily only to shout abuse at the taxi driver before carrying on his way.
Privately owned e-scooters are banned from pavements, roads and cycle paths under the 1835 Highway Act, but can be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Riding rental e-scooters on the road and on cycle paths became legal in the UK on July 4 last year, but the machines have a top speed of 15.5mph.
You must have a driving licence or a provisional driving licence and be at least 16 years old to hire an electric scooter.
In the second incident caught on the taxi driver’s dash cam, an e-scooter rider runs a red light and is almost hit by a delivery cyclist as he speeds through the intersection on Chepstow Road.
The taxi driver says he experiences similar incidents on a daily, if not hourly, basis and that something more needs to be done ‘urgently’ to tackle the ‘growing danger’.
Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens, from the Met’s Road and Transport Policing Command, said e-scooters remain ‘notoriously dangerous’ and that privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal on roads and in public places.
Chf Supt Ovens told MailOnline: ‘I believe that some people are using e-scooters as an attractive mode of transport, especially in their commute to work, but they remain notoriously dangerous, and illegal when driven in public areas or on the roads.
‘Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is the equivalent of riding a motorcycle on the road without any MOT, tax or insurance.
In a second incident (full video below), a rider, again riding on the road illegally, runs a red light
Pictured: After running the red light, the e-scooter rider is almost hit by a delivery cyclist
‘If you are out on an e-scooter in London, expect to be stopped by officers as we continue to help keep Londoners safe.’
The Met say they will take enforcement action against those caught flouting the law and punishment could include a Fixed Penalty Notice for riding with no insurance, with a £300 fine and six penalty points.
Riders could also be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for driving without a licence, up to £100 fine and three-six penalty points.
The force has also said action will be taken against poor rider behaviour – whether on a private or rented e-scooter – including £100 fine for running a red light or £50 for riding on the footpath.
The Government is currently conducting a trial of e-scooter rental fleets in cities across the country with a view to legalisation.
Last year, the Met said a trial in London is likely to begin in the spring of 2021 but an official date has yet to be confirmed.
The Times has reported that they are expected to be deployed in 11 out of 33 London boroughs in May.
When the trial comes in in London, it will be legal to use the rental e-scooters, from specific companies, on the road.
Milton Keynes and Birmingham have successfully launched the scheme and last year York City Council announced it was working with Tier Mobility to deploy 50 e-scooters in the city.
However in Coventry the scheme was axed after just five days when riders flouted rules by mounting pavements.