Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, 22 November 2021
Electric scooter legislation passes Parliament unanimously
I’m very pleased to report that e-scooters 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 e-scooters 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.
e-scooters 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 e-scooter 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 e-scooters 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 e-scooters 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.
Media release – City of Hobart, 23 November 2021
City welcomes changes to e-scooter use
Changes to state legislation around use of micromobility devices such as electric scooters has been welcomed by the City of Hobart, ahead of a hire-and-ride trial.
City of Hobart’s City Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Harvey said the legislative changes will allow the City of Hobart – in collaboration with the City of Launceston – to proceed with the long-awaited trial.
“This is great news for Hobart and Tasmania,” he said. “There are already many people using e-scooters to get around who have been waiting for the greater flexibility this legislation brings.
“We are confident that e-scooters will play a role in last-mile travel and short trips around our city, in the process helping to reduce traffic congestion and encouraging more sustainable transport solutions.
“It’s all about offering more choices so people can find what works best for them. The more options we have available, the less reliant we become on single modes of transport.”
“Plus, e-scooters have great potential as a fun and interactive way for visitors to get around the city, adding to their overall experience of Hobart.”
It was announced in September that two experienced micromobility vendors – Beam and Neuron – had been selected to operate e-scooter hire services in the two cities.
Cr Harvey said a thorough assessment process took into account safety, responsiveness to issues, job creation and accessibility.
“There are still some steps to go through before we can roll the e-scooters out on to Hobart’s streets,” he said. “This includes determining where they will be permitted to travel and be parked. There will need to be some controls to make sure they contribute positively to the city.
“Now that the legislation has been passed, we have a better understanding of how the trial will be able to operate and our officers are working with the vendors to finalise the details.”
All e-scooters in the trial will have number plates, third-party insurance, be properly maintained, appropriately speed limited, and prevented by software from entering unpermitted areas.
It is hoped that e-scooters will be available for hire in Hobart before Christmas, once changes to the Tasmanian Road Rules have been enacted. More information will be made available as the details of the trial are finalised.
