The mum of a 14-year-old boy who died after a collision while riding an e-scooter has started a campaign to ban them for under-18s. Jacob Calland and another 14-year-old were riding the electric scooter on Timpson Road, Wythenshawe, crossing the junction at Southmoor Road, when they collided with a car and ended up on a third vehicle. Neither of them was equipped with a helmet or any safety gear.
The video, shared by mum Carly, to try and raise awareness of the dangers of e-scooters, recounts the immediate aftermath of the accident. “Jacob made a split-second decision to go on the back of another boy’s e-scooter, and it cost him his life,” Carly told the Manchester Evening News.
“Jacob wasn’t driving the scooter, he was the passenger. I never allowed Jacob to have an e-scooter because I know how dangerous they are. I can’t believe that people don’t understand that they are illegal to use in public. I’ve seen so many kids and adults riding around on them on the roads, on the pavements. They are risking theirs and other people’s lives.”
Carly wants mandatory licences and insurance, as well as helmets and safety equipment, a ban on carrying passengers and stricter punishments for those breaching or allowing breaches of law relating to the scooters.
Her petition, which has already amassed almost 6,000 signatures in the space of a fortnight, states: “We think there is insufficient regulation around the sale and use of e-scooters. We believe the law continues to be broken without sufficient punishment and more collisions. Currently, e-scooters can be sold to people of all ages, leaving open the possibility that they may be used by children.”
The devastated mum told the Manchester Evening News: “I’ve lost my son. I don’t want any other family to go through what I’m going through. I’m not saying ban e-scooters completely, I’m saying let’s put rules in place to make them safer.
“The police aren’t properly enforcing the current law so people are doing what they want.”
PS Grogan, from the Force Prevention Branch, said: “Here at Greater Manchester Police we are continuing with our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the disruption and danger caused by anti-social behaviour involving e-bikes, motorbikes and quad bikes.
“We understand the frustration residents feel by reckless riding, and we’re deploying every resource at our disposal – from specialist officers to cutting-edge surveillance technology – to identify offenders and hold them accountable.
“This isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about reclaiming our streets and ensuring families can enjoy their neighbourhoods without fear or disturbance. We’re sending a clear message: if you choose to ride anti-socially in Greater Manchester, we will find you, and you will face the consequences.
“We are working with other agencies in Community Safety Partnerships, so that action can be taken against tenants where residents are responsible for anti-social behaviour.”
“We also want to know where these bikes are being stored. Please reach out if you have any information that will help us in our quest to reduce motorcycle-related crime.”
To sign Carly’s petition, visit the website here. If it reaches 100,000 signatures then it will be considered for a debate in Parliament.
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