February 2024

12 Buckden Roundabout February 2024 Hares E - Scooters The Government are promoting trials to consider whether to legalise the use of E scooters. Within Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City Council have author- ised one such trial within Cambridge City Centre. Due to the nature of what an E - scooter is the application of the Road Traffic Act in respect of the use of E - scooters is clear. First and foremost, as it stands, THEY ARE A MOTOR VEHICLE as defined in S185 Road Traffic Act 1988 they are not an elec- trically assisted pedal cycle and so currently carry no exemp- tions in that respect. Therefore, all offences applicable to motor vehicles including careless driving, driving licences, insurance, drink and drug driving must be adhered to. E - scooters CAN NOT be used on pavements, footways or bridleways. Furthermore, there is a minimum age of 18 to ride a E - Scooter. As a motor vehicle which an E scooter is under the current legislation all the standard powers to remove or seize vehicles apply, including S165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for no insurance. E - scooters that are not subject to an authorised trial can only be used on private land to which the public does not have ac- cess without legal restrictions. The permission of the owner or occupier of the land must be obtained and therefore the rider will require no licence or insurance if permission is given on the private land. Richard West, District Councillor Email: Richard.west@huntingdonshire.gov.uk or Richard.west@buckdencambs.co.uk Telephone 01480 811467 or 07841 866630 Hares are members of the order Lago- morpha together with rabbits and picas (a rabbit like animal but with small ears and no tail found in Asia and North America). Although distantly related they are not rodents as many people think. There are 33 species of hare spread over Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, but only 2 species are found in the UK. The Mountain Hare is common throughout the Boreal forests of northern Europe and Asia and is the only lagomorph native to the UK. Here it is found only in the central Highlands of Scotland although populations have been established in other upland habitats across the country. Larger than a rabbit but smaller than its cousin the Brown Hare, this animal is perhaps best known for its change of colour in winter turning from a mottled blue grey to white to aid with camouflage against the snow. It is thought that the Brown Hare was introduced to the UK sometime in the Iron Age by people migrating from mainland Europe. Although still common across most of the country, the population is falling, from 4 million animals a century ago to around 800,000 today. Whilst a number of factors are to blame, the most likely cause is change in farming practices re- ducing both available habitat and food sources. Unlike its relative the rabbit, the hare does not dig burrows but spends its day lying up in long grass. It relies on its speed for protection, should it be disturbed it will sprint away reaching its top speed of 45mph in under 5 seconds. This together with its agility means it can outrun virtually any predator. This was demonstrated to me when I encountered a hare whilst driving down a narrow lane. Instead of dashing for cover the hare started running down the road away from me. I followed at around 25mph. The hare had no problem keeping ahead of me, loping along with ears erect. However every time I tried to get past it the hare put its ears down and took off down the road, easily matching the acceleration of the Landrover I was driving. This continued for ½ a mile or so until the hare found a gateway and turned off into a field, with no apparent decrease in speed. In February and March the usually solitary animals gather in groups. This leads to a vigorous ‘ courtship ’ display, the famous boxing of the ‘ Mad March Hare ’. These fights take place on open ground with animals chasing, leaping and standing on their hind legs to fight each other with their front paws. These fights can be between two or more males looking for domi- nance of the group, and between males and females, the fe- male fending off the over - amorous male. The young, after a gestation period of around 44 days, are born fully furred and with eyes open. They are suckled only once a day by their mother and are fully independent within 3 weeks but take around 8 months to reach adult size. G regory Belcher