Capetonians are growing more and more concerned – and frustrated – over the increasing use of electric scooters on Sea Point Promenade.
The Promenade is popular among residents and tourists who enjoy walking, jogging or running on the paved walkway. It’s also favoured by cyclists, skateboarders and riders of e-scooters.
However, it’s the electric-powered scooters – also known as e-scooters – that have become a point of contention among locals. Specifically, it’s the riders manning these vehicles who have stirred concerns.
SEA POINT PROMENADE TURNING INTO E-SCOOTER SPEEDWAY
According to Capetonians, many of these e-scooter riders exhibit reckless driving habits, including riding at unnecessarily high speeds. A lack of situational awareness, coupled with a lack of safety equipment (namely helmets), also tops residents’ list of concerns-cum-complaints.
Jogger Anthony Thompson recounted an incident in which two riders were barrelling through the Promenade. Per Sentinel News:
These two were basically watching each other, laughing and smiling, not even taking note of others using the Promenade at the time. They could have gone crashing into the sea or even into a group of joggers. This is an accident waiting to happen, and something must be done.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Many on social media have claimed that e-scooters and bicycles are banned from being ridden on Sea Point Promenade.
However, in a recent interview with EWN, Sea Point councillor Nicola Jowell clarified that such claims are incorrect.
“The Promenade is available for use by walking pedestrians as well as bicycles and electric devices,” said Jowell.
She explained that the City of Cape Town had removed the “pedestrian-only” rule on the Promenade in 2013, though the rule was never formally reviewed. As such, it continued without change.
In 2020, the City released a public survey regarding the use of vehicles with wheels. A large portion of respondents called for these vehicles to be ridden on the Promenade.
SHOULD E-SCOOTERS BE ALLOWED ON THE SEA POINT PROMENADE?
Jowell agrees that safety is a major concern, one that the City should re-examine. In doing so, a solution can hopefully be found.
For now, riders of e-scooters and other wheeled vehicles are free to traverse the Sea Point Promenade alongside pedestrians.
If you’re a frequent traveller on the Promenade, let us know if you agree or disagree with e-scooter usage on the walkway.
