This funding page is intended for stakeholders to contribute to the non-legal campaign costs of the E-Scooter Defence Fund
Most of us entered this industry because we believe in the importance of micro-mobility. When I became involved three years ago, public perception was almost overwhelmingly positive. However, we are in danger of becoming victims of our own success. We are losing the PR war and this is threatening the entire industry.
We decided to get involved in the fightback after two of us at PET were stopped by the Police on the way to work. The first idea was simply to turn up in court and plead our case - we thought we might get a bit of publicity which might help increase awareness of the unfairness of it all. Then we were introduced to BSB Solicitors through Rideables.
Since we started reaching out to customers with similar stories, we have had some heartbreaking emails from people throughout the UK who have been caught up in this. It soon became obvious that the crackdown was potentially getting out of control and somewhat outside the scope of what might be termed 'sensible policing'.
Six months ago, we all believed that the legalisation of PLEVs up to a certain level of performance was a sure thing. Due to successful campaigning by the well-funded anti-scooter lobby, this is now in doubt.
It has become obvious to me and, no doubt, to many of us, that we need to organise and mount a fight-back. The E-scooter Defence Fund is where this starts. However, this will only work if all stakeholders contribute and take ownership. This is not a PET project or an Electroheads project - we all need to get involved with this.
We are going to need a Campaign Manager for at least a couple of days per week. Budget approx £1500 per month. We may need a small promo budget to push the campaign through the socials. We also need a viable decision making unit comprised of some of us to channel the views of all of us. We all need to take a stake in this. So, if there is something you don't like, PLEASE do not suffer in silence - contact me and lets work it out.
I thought this was the easiest way for us all to contribute to costs outside the legal fund. Give what you can - we need approx £2k to get us through the next 30 days...
Speak soon.
Mark
This project successfully funded on 12th August 2021