Woman petitions for e-scooter blue badge access

A Devon woman is campaigning for blue badge holders to be able to use personal electric scooters on public land.

Ella Wakley from Braunton has a rare form of dwarfism which requires her to use an e-scooter, but said she risks being prosecuted when she uses it.

The current law means privately owned e-scooters are illegal to ride on public roads.

Ms Wakley said the use of mobility aids should be "more inclusive".

Ms Wakely's condition causes curvature of the spine, meaning her scooter can help her get around when she is "exhausted or in pain".

She said: "Hire scooters are allowed anywhere but they're too high for me to use. The handlebars are the same height as my head, so they would be unsafe.

"I feel these scooters should be accessible to everyone, and yet most people wouldn't be able to use them that have a disability."

Ms Wakely said she launched a petition to the government to try and raise awareness of the issue, following meetings with her local MP Selaine Saxby.

She said the best case scenario would be that electric scooters, segways and similar methods of transport are classed as mobility aids because "living in an able-bodied world, if you find a solution you've just got to use it."

She said: "I want there to be a system in place where if you have a blue badge you can be assessed so that you are able to have some form of licence or exemption to use a scooter, or anything that supports you as a mobility aid."

The Department of Transport said e-scooters were treated like "any other motor vehicle" under the Road Traffic Act.

It said: "It remains illegal for private e-scooters to be used on public roads unless they meet all legal requirements of a motor vehicle, which most do not.

"Those riding illegally are subject to the same road traffic offences and penalties for unlawful use as all other motor vehicles."

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].