Tired of being limited to e-scooter hire zones? The SA government is proposing a new law that could make your personal electric ride street legal. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s the current situation?
Right now, privately owned e-scooters and other personal mobility devices (PMDs) are illegal on public roads and paths in South Australia. The only place it’s legal to ride them is on private property.
You might have seen some people zipping around on them anyway, but that’s because they’re using e-scooters hired from approved providers.
These are allowed under specific trial conditions in certain areas:
- within Adelaide and North Adelaide
- along the Coastal Park Trail within the City of Charles Sturt
- within the City of Norwood, Payneham St Peters.
What’s changing?
The State Government is proposing a new law – the Statutes Amendment (Personal Mobility Devices) Bill 2024 – that could change all that. If passed, this bill would legalise privately PMDs, allowing you to ride them on footpaths, bike lanes and even roads with speed limits of 50km/h or less.
What’s classed as a PMD?
As well as e-scooters, PMDs include other “motorised wheeled recreational devices”, including electric skateboards, segways, hoverboards and self-balancing unicycles.
These are all super-fun ways to get around, but they’re also environmentally friendly choices for urban transport compared to cars. They’re energy-efficient, produce zero emissions, reduce traffic congestion and lower air pollution.
In other good news, they’re a much more affordable option for zipping around over short distances than running a car during cozzie livs.
No licence, no rego, no worries?
One of the most exciting aspects of this proposed law is the lack of red tape. You won’t need a licence or registration to ride your PMD, making it a super accessible and convenient transport option.
But wait, there are rules…
Of course, with freedom comes responsibility. To keep everyone safe, there will be some rules to follow:
- Helmets are a must: Just like with bikes, it’s illegal to ride without one.
- No drinking or drugs and riding: Yes, the cops can pull you over for riding a PMD under the influence.
- Age restrictions: If you’re under 16, you’ll need adult supervision.
- Speed limit of 25km/h on roads, bike lanes, and separated paths.
- Speed limit of 15km/h on footpaths and shared paths.
Why the change?
This proposed law follows extensive consultation with e-scooter users and the broader community. A survey last year found that 87 per cent of respondents supported allowing e-scooters on public roads and paths.
But it’s not just about the overall support. The consultation also delved into the specifics: 76 per cent agreed that riders shouldn’t need a licence, and 68 per cent didn’t see the need for registration or insurance. There were mixed opinions on speed limits, but generally, people were in favour of 25km/h on bike lanes and roads, and a slower 15km/h on footpaths.
What’s next?
Before you start planning to sell your car and commute to work via e-scooter, remember that this bill still needs to be passed by State Parliament.
The government is taking all the feedback it received seriously and will be consulting further with industry experts and stakeholders before finalising the regulations. This means the final rules could still change, but it’s clear that the government is trying to strike a balance between accessibility and safety.
For more information on current e-scooter laws and how they’re changing, click here.
