Page 41 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37
P. 41

TROPIC  •  TRANSPORT











             New rules                        They may be a cheap and convenient   footpaths, and making bells compulsory.
                                              way to get around, but public concerns   A working group is also investigating
              E-SCOOTERS                      over safety for riders, pedestrians and   whether to allow e-scooters in the bicycle
                                              road traffic has prompted some changes   lanes of main roads, which is currently
             The Queensland Government        around the rules for e-scooters.    forbidden. There will also be increased
             is introducing a suite of new    While there is no new data around   penalties for high-risk offences.
             safety regulations for personal   just how popular e-scooter travel is,   “This will include speeding, using a
             mobility devices.                Queensland is certainly leading the way   mobile phone while riding and riding on
                                              in Australia due in part to early adoption   prohibited roads,” Mr Bailey said.
             Words: Renee Cluff               of a shared e-scooter system in Brisbane.   “Earlier this year we announced that
                                              Private sales of the scooters are now also   speeds would be halved to 12 kilometres
                                              booming statewide alongside a    per hour on footpaths which was a really
                                              global trend.                    important step in reducing dangerous,
                                              “It’s hard to miss how successful the   high-speed interactions between
                                              uptake of e-scooters has been here   pedestrians and riders. This was a quick
                                              in Queensland, from the Coast up to   win and pushes us in the right direction
                                              Cairns,” said Transport Minister    to support our transition to larger
                                              Mark Bailey. “E-scooters are an emerging   regulatory reform.”
                                              form of transport, and they aren’t
                                              going anywhere – if anything, their use
                                              continues to gain popularity with those
                                              who want to leave the car at home or   Projected growth of the
                                              connect with public transport.     global electric scooter market
                                              “That’s why it’s important we have a plan   2021
                                              on how we improve safety for e-scooter
                                              riders, and for those who use our   $29 billion
                                              cycleways, footpaths and roads.”
                                              The Personal Mobility Device Safety   2030
                                              Action Plan is a package of regulations,   $58 billion
                                              most of which will be delivered by
                                              year’s end. In the short term, there are   Source: Grand View Research
                                              reductions to speed limits on some



                                          •     Under current rules, riders must:  What are the changes?

                                                 •  Be at least 16 years of age,    •  Reduced speed limit of 12km/hr

                                                  or 12 with adult supervision    on footpaths
                                                •  Go no faster than 25km/hr (on   •  Mandating of warning devices,
                                                  some thoroughfares)             such as bells

                                                •  Wear a bicycle helmet        •  Motorcycle helmets added to
                                                                                  approved headwear
                                                •  Not use mobile phones or drink/
                                                  take drugs and ride           •  E-scooter lockouts in certain
                                                                                  places at certain times to combat
                                                •  Not ride on main roads (unless   alcohol/drug riding
                                                  crossing streets) and use paths
                                                  wherever possible             •  Possible breath and saliva testing

                                                •  Have front and rear lights for    •  Possible allowance for use in bike
                                                  night travel                    lanes on main roads

                                                •  Not have a passenger or        MORE: tmr.qld.gov.au
                                                  tow anything





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