Major worry about pedestrian safety as 'over-powered' e-scooters hit the streets.

RNZ reports scooters under 300 watts with a top speed of 35 kilometres an hour qualify as low-powered vehicles, and don’t have to be registered or licensed.

Higher-wattage versions that go nearly 100km an hour require registration, but it isn't happening.

Living Streets Aotearoa President Tim Jones says better rules are needed.

"It's bad enough that a pedestrian is hit by an existing e-scooter. If a pedestrian is hit by one of these things, we're talking death or serious injury."

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