I WAS shocked and infuriated as I crossed Bournemouth Square on Wednesday morning to see an electric scooter, travelling at what must have been its top speed of 20 mph, operated by an idiot wearing headphones, weaving in and out of the many pedestrians and only narrowly missing a toddler.

It can only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed by one of these maniacs.

I have lost count of the number of times one of these silent menaces has shot past me on the pavement with total disregard for anyone else.

Electric scooters and their owners must be regulated in the same way as any other motorised vehicle – registered, taxed, insured and confined to roads – with heavy penalties for those who use them on pavements or pedestrian areas.

ROBERT READMAN

Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth