e-Scooter free-for-all leaves SA pedestrians in harm’s way | Harold Scruby

The SA government’s move to give a green light to these dangerous machines is reckless and dangerous, writes Harold Scruby.

The South Australian government’s recent decision to allow private e-rideables on footpaths is a reckless move that puts pedestrians at risk and ignores crucial safety concerns.

This ill-conceived policy will transform our sidewalks into danger zones, prioritising the convenience of a few over the safety of many.

Let’s be clear: the government’s decision is based on flimsy evidence and a complete disregard for public safety.

They’re rushing headlong into this experiment without proper trials or consideration of the potential consequences.

South Australia has only conducted a limited trial of share-hire e-scooters, which are vastly different from private e-scooters. With share-hire-scooters, the operators know who is using them in the event of a crash and can monitor illegal behaviour.

There has been no trial of private e-scooters in SA, unlike Victoria, where they’ve extended their trial (of e-Scooters only) due to safety concerns. Even more alarmingly, this new policy will allow a whole range of e-rideables onto SA footpaths, including e-skateboards, Segways, hoverboards and e-unicycles – none of which have been trialled in South Australia at all.

TELL US WHY IN THE COMMENTS

The government claims that 87 per cent of respondents to their survey supported e-scooters on public roads and footpaths. But how can South Australians make an informed decision when they haven’t experienced the reality of private e-rideables at all?

This survey is nothing more than a fig leaf to cover the government’s rash decision-making.

The safety implications of this policy are staggering.

According to a Transport for London study, e-scooters are 100 times more dangerous than bicycles.

A study by the Royal Melbourne Hospital found that 58 per cent of e-scooter riders admitted were intoxicated – that’s just alcohol and does not include illegal drugs. And SA Police do not have the power to conduct random alcohol or drug tests.

Yet riders of private e-rideables won’t be required to have insurance in case they injure themselves or others.

It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

For older Australians, the risk is even greater. The highest cause of avoidable death after 50 years of age is from a fall.

By allowing e-rideables on footpaths, we’re creating a minefield for our seniors, who should be able to walk safely without fear of being mowed down by a speeding e-scooter.

Additionally, we have now witnessed the emergence of the new Fat-Boy e-Bikes.

Although legal pedelecs when purchased, with a few simple tweaks, they can be turned into unregistered uninsured electric motor-bikes, capable of speeds up to 50 km/h.

These are now literally out of control in places like Sydney where thousands of food delivery riders and children as young as twelve are riding them on footpaths, with virtually no enforcement.

John Mete 80 from Victoria, tries to pick up an eScooter on an Adelaide footpath that was blocking the footpath pushing him on the road. The ebike was too heavy for him and when the eScooter alarm went off so he stopped moving it. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

You can usually judge a society by how it treats its people with disabilities: The SA government’s decision shows a callous disregard for people who are vision or hearing-impaired.

Bruce Maguire, Lead Policy Adviser at Vision Australia stated that 90% of blind or low-vision pedestrians now feel less safe when walking due to e-rideables. Where’s the consultation with these vulnerable members of our community?

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) makes it unlawful to discriminate against (treat less favourably) persons on the basis of disability in key areas of life, including access to roads, footpaths and other “places”.

It is quite possible that the SA Government might be in breach of its obligations under the DDA, especially as Australia has signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and as such is bound to promote, respect and uphold the rights that it asserts.

Enforcement of e-rideable regulations will be nearly impossible. With no required number plates’ licencing or identification, how will police catch reckless riders who speed off after causing a crash?

In Queensland, where e-scooters have been legal for five years, not a single penalty notice has been issued for “fail to give way to pedestrian”.

The potential for harm is enormous.

You can now purchase e-scooters capable of travelling at 100 km/h, with tiny wheels and platforms mere centimetres above the ground. Imagine one of these death traps hurtling down your local footpath. It’s a recipe for carnage.

Moreover, this policy flies in the face of promoting active transport and healthy lifestyles.

Jon Usher from Sustrans points out that swapping active travel for e-scooters removes the health benefits of walking or cycling.

Duane Burtt of Victoria Walks goes further, noting that e-scooters actually reduce active transport by replacing walking and cycling trips, and potentially deterring walking by intimidating or obstructing people on footpaths.

It’s worth noting that both New South Wales and Victoria have banned e-scooters from footpaths.

Even Paris, a city synonymous with cutting-edge urban transport, voted overwhelmingly to ban rental e-scooters from its streets in 2023.

So why is South Australia rushing to embrace this dangerous technology?

The government’s decision to allow private e-rideables on SA’s footpaths without an extensive, robust trial is shortsighted, dangerous, and shows a blatant disregard for public safety.

It prioritises the convenience of a few over the wellbeing of the many, particularly our most vulnerable citizens. With the exponential increase in e-technology, we can’t even begin to imagine what e-rideables will be capable of, even in five years. Without proper trials, consultation, and safety measures in place, this policy is nothing short of reckless.

Retailing and commerce will also be affected. Business prospers when footpaths are safe, inviting places for people to walk, not hostile environments shared with motor vehicles and cluttered with abandoned or carelessly parked e-rideables.

Our footpaths should be safe spaces for all pedestrians, not racetracks for uninsured, unidentifiable e-rideable users. The government must reverse this ill-conceived decision before our footpaths become danger zones and innocent people are seriously injured or killed.

We must ensure that e-mobility for a few doesn’t bring about the immobility of the majority of South Australians. It’s time to put pedestrians first and the foot back in footpath.

Harold Scruby is CEO of the Pedestrian Council Australia