Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety, Shane Rattenbury, has announced changes that mean e scooters and similar e-mobility devices will be legal to ride in the ACT by Christmas.
“Many ACT residents are keen to take advantage of e-scooters and similar e-mobility devices. I’m pleased to announce that these devices will be legal for personal use from 20 December,” Minister Rattenbury commented “E-mobility provides new and convenient options for travel. They let people leave the car at home and are easily combined with public transport. With the ACT achieving 100% renewable electricity they can be recharged using clean energy and free of greenhouse gas emissions.”
Minister Rattenbury said the key changes are:
• Electric scooters, skateboards etc will be legal to use on shared paths and footpaths.
• They will not be permitted on roads or on-road bicycle lanes (except on residential streets where there is no footpath);
• They will be subject to a maximum speed of 15km/h on footpaths and up to 25km/h in all other permitted locations;
• Users must give way to pedestrians and keep to the left.
Minister Rattenbury said that safety is a key part of the reforms and as such there are minimum safety standards that apply. When using one of these devices you must:
• Wear an approved bicycle helmet
• Slow down to 10km/h when travelling across a crossing
• Have a warning device such as a bell fitted to your device or that is otherwise accessible
• Have lights and reflectors on either the device or your person when using these devices at night or in hazardous weather conditions
• Not ride while using a mobile phone or similar
• Not be impaired by alcohol.
“These are convenient and fun new devices, but I remind people to be responsible for their and others’ safety. Speed limits are the maximum, not the recommendation. People must be considerate of other users and travel at a safe speed for the conditions. People should take care and learn to use the devices carefully before using them,” Minister Rattenbury commented.