Riding an e-scooter in the ACT while drunk could soon be illegal and attract a fine of $3200, after the ACT government introduced new laws into the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday ahead of a citywide rollout of public e-scooters.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Transport Minister Chris Steel said the new laws, which would be debated next year, would fill a gap in current drug and alcohol legislation, and crack down on drink riding on footpaths, shared paths, verges and other spaces related to roads.
"We think that this sends a very clear message to the community that it's not acceptable to have a big night out and then jump on a bike or an e-scooter to go home," Mr Steel said.
"It simply puts those riders at risk and the rest of the community that's using our footpaths and shared paths."
Mr Steel said the ACT government was acting on the recommendations of an independent review into the territory's shared e-scooter scheme ahead of a staged rollout across Canberra starting next year.
"Since the scheme started, we have unfortunately seen some members of the community riding e-scooters after a big night out in Civic, and that has posed some danger to other pedestrians and cyclists on our paths and on the edge of the street, and we want to address that through updating our laws," he said.
A six-month review of the e-scooter scheme, which began in September 2020, completed by Curijo Pty Ltd found current regulation was generally appropriate but there was some confusion about road rules.
"Users generally find e-scooters safe but there are opportunities to enhance safety, particularly in areas where they are being used alongside pedestrians and cyclists," a summary of the review's findings prepared by the ACT government said.
A three-strikes-and-out rule will be introduced, which will mean users who repeatedly flout rules, including not wearing a helmet or parking scooters inappropriately, could have their accounts suspended.
The next phase of the e-scooter rollout would introduce the scheme - privately operated by Neuron and Beam - to Woden and Gungahlin, and connect areas between Belconnen and central Canberra, where the scheme already operates.
West Belconnen, Weston Creek, the Molonglo Valley and the Tuggeranong region would be added to the scheme later.
The expansion of the e-scooter scheme into new areas would be subject to future consultation, the government said in October.
Both e-scooter operators in the ACT - Neuron Mobility and Beam - have welcomed the chance to expand their services across the city.
MORE A.C.T. POLITICS NEWS:
The Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill No. 2 would introduce a new offence for riding a personal mobility device, including e-scooters and bicycles, on road related areas while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the point a person could not maintain proper control of the device.
"Where we think this offence will be used is in the event of an accident, where someone presents at hospital. Their blood alcohol will be taken at that point in time. That may be used as evidence to make out the offence in court," Mr Steel said.
The new offence would expand the current laws which already make it illegal to ride a bike or personal mobility device on a road under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The new offence would have a maximum fine of 20 penalty units, but would not come with an imprisonment term or force the automatic cancellation of a driver's licence. Drink driving and riding on roads will have a maximum fine of 30 penalty units under the updated laws.
"This new offences makes it clear that it's not acceptable to have a night of heavy drinking, jump on a scooter and risk your own safety and that of others," Mr Steel said.
Other amendments in the government's bill include prohibiting non-electric vehicles being parked in electric car spaces and requiring owners who keep a vehicle in the ACT for more than three months to transfer the registration to the ACT.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram