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.
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"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 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.
Lucy Bladen
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
