I’m very pleased to report that eScooters will be hitting our streets this summer, providing a cost-effective, low-pollution, and convenient transport alternative in Tasmania after the amendment to Traffic Act 1925, to legislate them, passed the Legislative Council.
Delivering this key election commitment will see eScooters and other personal mobility devices allowed to be used by commercial ‘hire and ride’ operators as well as private users on footpaths, shared paths and some local roads.
eScooters are growing in popularity globally as people look for more innovative and efficient ways to move around cities and communities, replacing cars for short commutes.
Importantly, Parliament agreed with the Government that there are strict rules that go along with this new mode of transport including consideration of other pedestrians, speed limits and safe use requirements.
These modern e-scooters, which contain a range of safety features such as pedestrian detection sensors and poor rider behaviour detection, will be used at certain speeds on most local roads, footpaths, shared paths and bicycle paths. Under the legislation, police have the additional power to confiscate devices ridden without due care and attention.
These devices will be restricted to a speed of 15km/h on footpaths, and 25km/h on shared paths, bicycle paths and local roads.
Councils will have the power to restrict footpaths that should not be shared and to add divided local roads to the network on a case-by-case basis.
Anyone 16 years of age or older will be able to use an eScooter as long as they wear a helmet and comply with all of the road rules, including speed limits and don’t use mobile phones.
Together with amended regulations which will take effect next week, it will mean that e-scooters will be on our streets this summer.
A public education campaign on the legal and safe use of eScooters will be delivered next month, and an evaluation of the regulatory framework will be conducted after one year.
I’m sure Tasmanians will enjoy this new transport choice, do the right thing and enjoy using eScooters responsibly. By working with local government and other jurisdictions, we believe we have achieved the right balance so everyone can enjoy the use of shared infrastructure in a safe and respectful way.
More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson
More Media Releases from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport