E-scooters will be legal in Canberra from Friday
From Friday Canberrans will be able to ride e-scooters legally.
ACT road safety minister Shane Rattenbury announced the changes on Tuesday. The changes would also apply to similar e-mobility devices.
"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," he said.
"E-mobility provides new and convenient options for travel. They let people leave the car at home, and are easily combined with public transport."
The ACT government has announced it will be legal to ride e-scooters in the territory from Friday. Photo: Supplied.
The key changes include:
- Electric scooters, skateboards will be legal to use on shared paths and footpaths
- They will not be permitted on roads or on-road bicycle lands (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
Riders will be required to wear an approved bike helmet, have a warning device such as a bell, have lights and reflectors, they cannot use a mobile while riding and not be impaired be alcohol.
The ACT government moved to legalise e-scooters when it opened public consultation on the devices in June.
The ACT legislation follows Queensland which is the only other state to allow e-scooters to be ridden on footpaths and bike lanes at a speed greater than 10km/h.