News / Transport
E-scooters ready to roll next year
Councillors pave way for trial of shared e-scooters across Merri-bek
Mark Phillips
LOVE them or loathe them, share hire e-scooters could soon be a regular sight zipping around Brunswick.
Merri-bek Council is planning to introduce e-scooters in the first half of next year after the Victorian Government last week confirmed they would be permanently legalised across the state from October.
The council recently approved a trial of hireable e-scooters, subject to forming an agreement with a private operator and the implementation of restrictions on their use including designated parking zones.
On Friday, the Allan government said e‑scooters will be permanently legalised following a successful two-year trial in the cities of Melbourne, Port Philip, Yarra, Stonnington, Hobsons Bay and Ballarat. The former Moreland Council applied in mid-2021 to take part in the initial trial but was unsuccessful.
Merri-bek will also explore a joint e-scooter scheme with other councils with the neighbouring cities of Moonee Valley and Darebin having already indicated they will be introducing them within their boundaries.
Shared e-scooters are seen as a viable low-carbon emissions alternative for many people to driving or using public transport but despite their popularity in Melbourne they have also drawn plenty of criticism.
There are about 2000 shared e-scooters owned by three operators currently in use across the six municipalities in Victoria with more than 8 million trips since the trial was launched.
The shared e-scooters have a speed limit of 20kmh and are only allowed on roads, shared paths and bike lanes.
But they have attracted a plethora of complaints including unsafe use, riding on footpaths, collisions with pedestrians, and riding while intoxicated.
Hospitals have reported an increase of admissions into their emergency wards of patients being treated for head injuries, often the result of accidents while drunk riding.
There have also been complaints about improper parking of e-scooters and e-bikes, particularly when they block access to footpaths.
In Yarra, a disability advocate and wheelchair user has taken the council to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over e-scooters being dumped on footpaths.
To curb this behaviour, cognitive tests to prevent drink-riding at night, sensors to detect and prevent ‘dinking’, and camera sensors to detect footpath riding have all been implemented through the trial. Geo-fencing and designated parking zones have been rolled out as well to prevent improper parking.
Approving the introduction of e-scooters at their June meeting, Merri-bek councillors were concerned to avoid problems identified in the two year state trial.
Before they are allowed in Merri-bek, councillors want the introduction of designated parking zones that would be enforced by geo-fencing, line marking and protective bollards.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm for the scooters but also a lot of concern that we don’t get the blocking of footpaths and riding of scooters on footpaths,” said Councillor Monica Harte.
“It’s important to get it right because once you’ve got a trial in place, it’s often very difficult to change poor behaviour patterns.”
Councillor Sue Bolton said she shared concerns of disability advocates, particularly people who are vision impaired.
“I think we’ve got to make sure we’ve got very good quality advice on accessibility, not just mobility but also low vision … In Merri-bek, as in a lot of local government areas, it’s very different from the city of Melbourne and the CBD, where there’s wide footpaths. We’ve mostly got very narrow footpaths.”
The in-principle approval will allow council staff to work with other municipalities about a shared procurement approach to e-scooters.
A final decision whether to go ahead with the trial won’t be made until April next year and will depend on an adequate plan for designated parking zones.
The council has allocated $78,397 in this year’s budget towards the trial, but expects any costs would be offset by the collection of fees from e-scooter operators which could reap the council as much as $182,500 a year.
A stakeholder reference group will also be established to provide input into how the e-scooter trial is rolled out, along with advice from Vision Australia, and groups representing the aged and people with disabilities.
Support independent local journalism
We are an independent hyperlocal news organisation owned and run by the people in your community. With your support, we can continue to produce unique and valuable local journalism for Brunswick and the inner north of Melbourne.
