Electric bikes and e-scooters have become a common mode of transport across Europe, a relief for some but fear for others.
This micro-mobility trend is making streets an inhospitable "nightmare" for the blinds.
According to a new report e-bikes and e-scooters are causing fear and anxiety for the blind and partially sighted people.
These EVs, sometimes used at high speed without safety precautions are creating new menace for the lost sighted.
A charity organization Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)UK, has issued a report in September 2025, warning that electric bikes and electric scooters are making streets increasingly dangerous for the blind and partially sighted people.
Most blind people said that they have to walk into the roads to avoid collision with cars, e-bikes and e-scooters obstructing pavements.
RNIB surveyed around 1200 blind or partially sighted people who have to walk daily on the roads as pavements are obstructed with parked cars, e-bikes or e-scooters.
According to RNIB, only 1 in 10 blind people walk confidently in streets around these EVs.
“Thanks to the use of micro-mobility,” says RNIB.
More than 34% of the people reported that they have collided with the street obstacles in past three months.
One blind person also described how they have to rely on a cane because their "guide dogs" were withdrawn after becoming stressed by trying to walk along blocked pavements.
“Many cities have introduced dockless rental schemes for Electric bike and scooters. Users are requested to park vehicles in a way that does not cause inconvenience for other people, as bikes and scooters are often strewn on pavements,” said a blind person.
Moreover, RNIB’s Policy Lead, Mr. Erik Matthies, who has lost sight, said, “It is getting harder for Blind People, partially sighted pedestrians and wheelchair users to move independently, because of more and more obstacles on the streets.”
I am always having double checks or think about how I am going to get around by foot. This is tiring, takes up more time and makes me unsafe too”
“Not knowing that a e-bike or scooter is about to pass you at speed is causing anxiety, triggering mental health issues for some people,” he added.
Furthermore, RNIB suggests government to create “inclusive standards” for pavements, that can be robustly enforced, and urging local authorities to take action such as maintaining access to pavements during roadworks, better monitoring of food delivery courier cyclists, and improved regulation of rental e-scooter and e-bike schemes.
Spokesperson Department for transport (DFT) UK, said “Safety is our top priority, and private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads.”
According to the latest DTF report more than 52 pedestrians were seriously injured in collisions with the e-scooters in England recently.
“The government must act on the use of an estimated one million privately-owned e-scooters, which remain illegal to use on our public roads and lack any of the safety restrictions of e-scooter hire schemes, and the increasing number of unlicensed and uninsured electric motorbikes being sold and used as e-bikes,” suggests, DFT.