The Malinauskas Labor Government has shut down sensible legislation that would have seen e-scooter riders enjoy their devices legally and without fear of hefty fines worth close to $2000.
The Opposition’s Bill was - without reason - voted down by the Malinauskas Labor Government last week in Parliament in a huge disappointment to the e-scooter community, which is growing larger by the day.
However, the Opposition has caught wind of a play by Labor to introduce identical legislation in a selfish move to claim credit for e-scooter legalisation.
The Opposition is calling on the community to challenge Peter Malinauskas and show its support for the legalisation of e-scooters by signing this survey.
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 would be exempt from needing registration or insurance and wouldn’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 Peter Malinauskas has once again condemned South Australia to the slow lane.
“This is a huge blow to the e-scooter community and those in general who enjoy green travel to protect the environment,” Mr Tarzia said.
“We are sick and tired of Labor taking the lazy option by choosing never-ending reviews before hitting the snooze button.
“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.
“Legalising e-scooter devices is a no-brainer for South Australia, but we can’t wrap our heads around why Peter Malinauskas says no. Thanks to Labor, our state has been left behind once again.
“We really hope Peter Malinauskas hasn’t shut down this legislation only to introduce the virtually identical Bill for Labor to claim credit.
“The reality is we should be celebrating an end to the e-scooter confusion so the same rules apply to all users - regardless of whether you own or hire the devices.”
