Today, the Opposition introduced a Bill into Parliament that could be a game-changer for e-scooter riders in South Australia.
The Bill aims to abolish the current hefty fines of $2000 for riders caught using privately owned e-scooters in public spaces, by enabling all e-scooters – and some other mobility devices – to be ridden on road or road related areas safely.
Right now, only e-scooters hired from operators with council permits can be used on footpaths and shared paths in selected trial areas.
Under the new laws, e-scooter riders would be exempt from needing registration or insurance and won’t need to hold a driver’s licence or learner’s permit.
E-scooters and similar devices would not be permitted to travel over 25km/h per hour, on roads with dividing lines, median strips or where the speed limit is greater than 50km/h and must keep as far to the left side of the road as is practicable.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vincent Tarzia said the current rules are confusing – especially for those who own their own devices.
“We want to end the e-scooter confusion and see the same rules apply to all users - regardless of whether you own or hire the devices,” Mr Tarzia said.
“We shouldn’t be discouraging South Australians from safely using e-scooters and other similar devices. They’re an affordable, eco-friendly mode of transportation that also help reduce traffic congestion.
“E-scooter owners are right now left scratching their heads hearing they could be slapped with a $2000 fine for using their devices in public areas while those using a hired device have free reign.
“We believe our amendments to the current rules are a sensible, practical solution that would bring South Australia more closely in line with existing rules interstate.
“While trials, reviews and inquiries into the issue are ongoing, we believe our legislation is a common-sense approach that will simplify e-scooter use – allowing for private owners to use their personal e-scooters in a similar way to hired ones.
“Let’s embrace e-scooter use, not punish users when there are so many benefits to this mode of transport.”
