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RAA welcomes legislation to allow privately-owned e-scooters to be ridden on public roads receiving parliamentary support – with the laws set to come into effect in early 2025.
The Statutes Amendment (Personal Mobility Devices) Bill 2024 has this week passed parliament and is set to be introduced once the regulations are developed by a State Government and industry roundtable.
The state’s peak motoring body looks forward to working with State Government on these regulations in the coming months – which should mandate a maximum speed of 10km/hr on footpaths and 25km/hr on roads and a minimum age of 16 for unsupervised use – to ensure safety of road users and pedestrians isn’t compromised.
The State Government has also committed to reviewing the laws after 12 months, to consider whether any insurance schemes can be implemented to cover road users injured be e-scooter riders.
RAA Future Mobility Expert Mark Borlace said this was a welcome step forward.
“RAA supports the use of e-scooters because they are a great first and last mile solution that can help to unlock public transport and reduce traffic congestion,” Mr Borlace said.
“We know there is strong support for e-scooters in the community, and amongst RAA members as well.
“Like everything, we’ll need the right legislative framework in place to ensure they are used safely in the community, and we look forward to working with the government as they seek to develop the regulations.
“A 10km/hr speed limit on footpaths will go some way to reducing the risk of pedestrian crashes and we would expect this speed limit to be enforced.
“The decision to review the legislation after 12 months is a good approach – so we can understand the impact they are having in the community and consider improvements.
“Once the regulations are developed we will look to educate our members and the community ahead of their implementation in 2025.”