Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has expressed her gratitude to individuals who have shared their personal experiences to help raise public awareness regarding the dangers of riding e-scooters illegally on public spaces and roads.

The Department has rolled out a series of videos across its social media channels this week. The content features firsthand accounts from individuals who have witnessed the damage these vehicles can inflict on both riders and the public, as well as stories from vulnerable people who live in constant fear of a potential collision.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins stated: "I'd like to thank those who shared their stories with us this week. I am aware of the increasing concern around the illegal use of e-scooters on our public roads and spaces.

"It is highly dangerous for the riders, and for members of the public.

"E-scooters are heavy machines. Those who ride them often weave through pedestrians at speed, or straight into oncoming busy traffic, often causing terrifying near misses, dangerous collisions, or causing serious injury."

The campaign features Dr Duncan Redmill, a consultant at the Royal Victoria Hospital, who detailed the potentially life-changing and fatal consequences resulting from e-scooter incidents, warning that they are heavy machines rather than toys.

Viewers also hear from Julieanne, who lives with visual and hearing impairments, as she recounted a near-miss experience with an e-scooter. The incident shook her confidence and introduced an extra obstacle for her to manage when planning daily travel.

Additionally, the video series includes Ken, who is registered blind. Ken relies on his guide dog, Waffle, to maintain his freedom and confidence to travel independently. He expressed deep concerns regarding the illegal presence of e-scooters in public areas, noting that if Waffle were to be injured or startled, it could result in social isolation for him. Minister Liz Kimmins added: "As these videos have clearly shown, e-scooters strike fear into those who are particularly vulnerable, those with mobility issues or visual impairments – who feel like they have to change their route just to feel safer.

"I want to remind everyone that e-scooters are not toys, and parents and guardians must be aware of these risks to children and young people.

"Anyone using e-scooters in public spaces are putting their lives, and the lives of those around them at risk, and they're breaking the law.

"I appeal to everyone to think twice before using an e-scooter, think about the life changing risks, not just to yourself, but to other road users and pedestrians.

"We all have a personal responsibility to create safe spaces for us all to use in our everyday journeys."

Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson, Head of Road Policing, commented: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland welcomes this Department of Infrastructure initiative and looks forward to continuing our engagement with partners around this issue.

"We hope these videos can educate e-scooter users on the dangers of these vehicles, and highlight that these machines are not actually legal on the roads or pavements.

"Under current legislation, e-scooters are deemed to be a motor vehicle, meaning the rider must have a driving licence and the vehicle must be taxed, insured and fitted with lights and a number plate.

"This means e-scooters on roads and in public spaces are being ridden illegally and, so, a large number of individuals – many of them children - are committing offences in that the machine they are riding is not legally allowed to be in a public space.

"From a safety point of view, their inappropriate use in public spaces poses a risk to the safety of both rider and the public. People have already been seriously hurt as a result of their use.

"When our officers engage with riders, they use the four 'e's' approach - engage, explain, encourage and enforce.

"Overall, it will require a co-ordinated approach by sellers, parents, users/owners, PSNI and partners to reduce the number of e-scooters on our roads and encourage their responsible and legal use."