Pedestrian Smashed by E-bike: Calls for Regulation

A woman identified as Sandy Peters suffered severe facial injuries, including broken cheekbones and jaw, after being hit by a speeding Forest dockless hire e-bike while walking on a pavement in south London. The incident occurred on her son's birthday last October, leaving her with no memory of the impact but extensive injuries requiring hospitalization. She has since developed PTSD and faces approximately £10,000 in dental repair costs.

Peters expressed anger that Forest, the e-bike operator, does not carry rider liability insurance, which would cover costs if the rider is liable for third-party injuries. She noted the rider was under 16, highlighting Forest's alleged failure in age verification and illegal pavement riding. This has led her to call for government legislation mandating insurance for hire e-bikes and for councils to only issue licenses to insured operators.

The incident has ignited debate about the regulation of dockless e-bikes in London, with Mayor Sadiq Khan describing the sector as "like the Wild West" and advocating for stricter controls. While Forest has public liability insurance for mechanical failures, current law does not mandate rider liability insurance, and policies often exclude pavement cycling. Both Forest and the London Borough of Sutton have stated they are investigating the incident.