'E-bikes and e-scooters making Coventry city centre too dangerous'

New rules banning people riding e-bikes and e-scooters in parts of Coventry have come into force

A city centre is becoming too dangerous for people who are partially sighted because of e-bikes and e-scooters, one man has said.

Charles Bloch, who is registered blind, claimed some people were being put off visiting Coventry city centre.

He described riders using pedestrianised zones and said it can make for a dangerous experience.

New rules banning the machines from certain parts of the city came into force on Monday.

Mr Bloch told BBC CWR: "People I know who have sight-loss are increasingly not wanting to go into the city centre.

"They feel like it's too dangerous for them."

The ban has come into effect on Upper Precinct, Hertford Street, Broadgate Square, most of Lower Precinct and Market Way.

Riders who do not dismount could be fined or face prosecution under the Public Spaces Protection Order.

Mr Bloch, who works in the city centre, said he was pleased the rules were coming into force.

He added: "It will save a lot of people from having to look over their shoulder constantly when they are trying to…make sure they're not going to collide with something coming at you at speed."

'Travel with care'

Coventry City Council approved the new rules following complaints of people riding e-bikes and e-scooters too fast in pedestrianised parts of the city centre.

Signs for where the ban is in force are displayed at pinch points, as well as areas where cyclists park, and the council has informed delivery people.

People who use either an e-bike or and e-scooter as a mobility aid are exempt from the ban and the rule does not apply to mobility scooters.

It is currently illegal for personally-owned e-scooters to be used on public roads, whereas e-bikes can be used if they are under a certain speed limit.