Shared E-Scooters on Pavements

The question

How to approach this opinion essay question

An opinion (agree or disagree) essay needs a clear position from the introduction to the conclusion.

1. Paraphrase the statement and state your opinion in the introduction.
2. Give two main reasons, one per body paragraph, each with an example.
3. Consider the opposite view briefly, then explain why you still hold yours.
4. Conclude by restating your position in different words.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase the situation of rental e-scooters being left on pavements and state your position on the statement.
2. Body 1: first reason for your position, focusing on pedestrians, including wheelchair users and visually impaired people who need clear pavements.
3. Body 2: second reason, such as safety hazards for older people and the difficulty of enforcing rules when riders disappear.
4. Body 3: acknowledge the main counter-argument (scooters are cheap, clean and useful for short trips), then explain why it does not justify pavement parking.
5. Conclusion: restate your position and suggest a practical alternative, such as designated parking bays.

Idea bank

• Pavement obstruction: a scooter left across the path blocks people with pushchairs, wheelchairs and white canes, and forces them onto the road.
• Trip hazards: councils and older residents often complain about scooters lying on pavements, which can cause falls.
• Enforcement problem: once a rider has left the scooter and walked away, a fine is hard to apply, which is why operators must be held responsible.
• Counter-argument: scooters can replace short car journeys and reduce emissions, but this benefit depends on where they are parked, not whether they exist.
• Geofencing: operators can use GPS to stop scooters being locked in restricted zones, which makes designated parking a realistic policy.
• Example: Paris voted in 2023 to end its rental e-scooter scheme after a referendum, showing that local opposition can shape policy.

Useful vocabulary

• to obstruct the pavement: Abandoned scooters obstruct the pavement for wheelchair users.
• a trip hazard: A scooter lying across the path becomes a trip hazard for older pedestrians.
• dockless: Dockless operators let riders leave vehicles almost anywhere.
• geofencing: Geofencing can prevent scooters being parked in restricted areas.
• to designate parking bays: Councils could designate parking bays to keep walkways clear.
• to impose a fine: Operators could be made to pay a fine when vehicles block the pavement.
• to weigh up the benefits: Officials must weigh up the benefits against the nuisance caused.
• short-distance trips: Scooters suit short-distance trips of a few kilometres.
• a modal shift: Scooters could encourage a modal shift away from private cars.
• pavement clutter: Pavement clutter is a serious problem for visually impaired pedestrians.

Common mistakes

• Taking a clear position in the introduction and then writing a conclusion that partly agrees with the opposing side.
• Treating all e-scooters the same, when the specific problem in the question is leaving them on pavements.
• Writing a counter-argument paragraph longer than the rebuttal, or never showing why the counter-argument fails.
• Using vague examples such as 'in some cities' instead of naming a city or a specific rule.
• Drifting into e-bikes or car safety, which are not part of the question.

Examiner tip: Keep your position consistent throughout, make the counter-argument briefer than your rebuttal, and end that paragraph with a clear reason why the counter-argument fails.