A CONCERNED father has called for a clampdown on electric scooters after a woman riding one was killed.

TV presenter and YouTube star Emily Hartridge, 35, died after a collision with a lorry while using one of the scooters in London, where she lived, last week.

Paul Brown, from Brighton, said that on two separate occasions he and his one-year-old son were almost hit by reckless scooter riders in the city.

The 35-year-old said: “The second time it happened we were using a zebra crossing in Portland Road.

“All the cars stopped for us, but a woman on a powered scooter just carried on going and only missed the buggy by an inch.

“She had been travelling at some speed, and would have caused serious injuries if there’d been a collision.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has now urged ministers to assess whether it needs to consider tougher new laws on so-called e-scooters to prevent more tragedies.

It is illegal to ride the vehicles – which can top 30mph thanks to powerful batteries – either on pavements or roads.

But they are becoming an increasingly common sight, often whizzing silently and speedily among traffic and pedestrians.

There have already been a number of deaths across Europe. There is mounting concern that more deaths in Britain will follow without action.

Nick Lloyd of RoSPA said: “The use of electric scooters is increasing, including on the roads and pavements where they are currently illegal, and so we would urge the Government to take a look at current legislation to ensure it is fit for purpose to maximise the safety of road users.”

Mr Brown, who works for the RSPCA, said that on another occasion he spoke to a scooter owner who had no idea it was illegal to ride on the road or on pavements. The company that sold it to them made no mention of restrictions on where it could be used.

Mr Brown said: “I often see people on their mobile phones or wearing headphones while they are riding these scooters, which stops them from concentrating on the road.

“I can appreciate these scooters are good for the environment, but they are far too dangerous to be on roads among cars, lorries and buses, and they shouldn’t be dodging through pedestrians on the pavements or in parks.”

Many people enjoying the sun on Hove Lawns yesterday agreed with Mr Brown.

Lance Pearce, 55, a plumber from Camberwell, London, said he thought many scooter users were reckless, and had little consideration for their safety or for the safety of others.

He said: “Many of the people I’ve seen using these scooters recently don’t have helmets or protective gear on their elbows and knees - even skateboarders wear these.

“I’ve heard that these electric cars in London have had to start playing the sound of an engine in order to prevent accidents.

“People have got into the habit of listening for cars rather than looking for them, so they stride out into the road and get knocked over by these noiseless electric cars.

“They should do something similar for these scooters, otherwise we’ll keep having more accidents like the blogger who died in London the other week.”

Faron Young, 27, an engineering consultant who lives on Saltdean Park Road, said: “I think they need to figure out whether these scooters belong on the pavement or the road.

“They’re a good idea and they’re definitely eco-friendly, they could just use more regulation to keep people safe.”