State’s call on ‘controversial’ e-scooters
Written by admin on October 29, 2024
Almost half a million e-scooters could soon be zipping past cars, bikes and pedestrians in certain areas of Sydney and regional NSW under proposed reforms.
Draft rules released by the state government on Monday seek to address a “regulatory blind spot” whereby e-scooters can be purchased but not ridden on NSW streets.
The 58 proposed actions include exploring the possibility of legalising e-scooter use on streets and roads, requiring use of a helmet, and banning e-scooters for under 16s.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said with more than 1.3 million “e-micromobility devices” in NSW, only 22 per cent of riders knew e-scooters were illegal to ride on the street.
“It’s a strange regulatory blind spot, and it has to change,” she said.
“E-bikes and e-scooters aren’t without controversy, which is exactly why we’re taking action.
“It’s clear we need a regulatory framework that will allow people to make the most of this transport option without compromising on community safety.”
The proposal would force e-scooter riders to give way to pedestrians on shared paths and adhere to a 20km/h speed limit on shared and bike paths and on the road.
Riders would also be subject to a 0.05 blood alcohol limit and relegated to roads with a 50km/h speed limit despite many e-scooters able to reach speeds up to 100km/h.
As many as 459,00 e-scooters and 570,000 e-bikes were in use across NSW, the state government said, with 91 per cent of people saying they were convenient for travel.
The report found 34 per cent of e-micromobility trips, which includes e-scooters and e-bikes, were replacing car trips in Greater Sydney, with the figure 45 per cent in regional NSW.
Under the proposed reforms, dedicated parking areas would also be assigned for e-scooters at train stations, including at Central, Circular Quay, Barangaroo and Bondi.
Ms Haylen said allowing commuters to ride to shops or a nearby train station would “take the pressure off our roads and lessen competition for parking”.
“It’s a big win for everyone, we just have a bit more work to do to get the balance right,” she said.
The report will be used as part of continuing community engagement on reform, with past shared e-scooter trials and legalisation in other states to be taken into account.
The proposed reforms would also seek to review how shared e-bikes were being used in local communities in NSW and would deliver more shared e-scooter trials.
New safety standards for lithium-ion batteries and e-micromobility devices have already been implemented, with fines for not compliance topping $800,000.
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