The Opposition is calling on Peter Malinauskas to speed up when it comes to the potential legislation of e-scooters and other mobility devices, with Labor’s community consultation on its proposal completed almost two months ago.
Friday will mark two months since Labor’s community consultation was completed on legalising e-scooters - and five months since Peter Malinauskas shut down sensible Liberal Party legislation that would have allowed personally owned e-scooters and mobility devices to be used legally and without fear of hefty fines worth close to $2000.
With the popularity of e-scooters and mobility devices increasing by the day, supermarket giant Aldi is now selling them - but many South Australians would be unaware they are illegal to operate.
Right now, only e-scooters hired from operators with council permits can be used on footpaths and shared paths in selected trial areas.
Under laws proposed by the Opposition, e-scooter riders and mobility device users would be exempt from needing registration and wouldn’t need to hold a driver’s licence.
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 Peter Malinauskas has hit “review and snooze” on legalising the popular devices.
“Almost two months ago, Labor finished its community consultation on e-scooters and we haven’t heard a word since but, we already know what the consensus is - South Australians want e-scooters legalised for private use,” Mr Tarzia said.
“Peter Malinauskas shut down the Opposition’s sensible e-scooter legislation almost half a year ago only to do a review that’s floated off into the never-never. In realty we could have passed out legislation now and e-scooters could be legal to use.
“The ongoing trials, reviews and inquiries into this issue are ridiculous - it’s time to embrace e-scooter use, not punish users when there are so many benefits to this mode of transport.
“And as we continue to push for more green travel, it’s a no-brainer to legalise e-scooters because we know they are good for the environment and will likely have significant impact on congestion in the CBD if people chose to use the device.”
