Disability advocate escalates legal challenge to Yarra e-scooter trial

A leading disability advocate has strengthened his call to halt Melbourne’s e-scooter trial despite a failed bid for the Human Rights Commission to intervene.

The Neuron and Lime e-scooter trial has been extended to October.

A push by a disability advocate to halt Melbourne’s e-scooter trial will continue despite a failed bid for the Human Rights Commission to intervene.

Shane Hryhorec, managing director at Push Mobility, will instead take Yarra council to VCAT, alleging discrimination because the hire scooters and e-bikes breach disability rights when left on footpaths.

The Lime and Neuron vehicles also restrict access for people with limited mobility or vision, he said.

“I have to go to VCAT just to use the footpaths and live an independent life.’’ he told the Sunday Herald Sun.

Shane Hryhorec is challenging the e-scooter trail on discrimination grounds.

In a separate legal bid, Mr Hryhorec, a wheelchair user, is taking the state government and Transport Minister to Victoria’s Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

“Despite my persistent efforts to engage with the local council for more than a year, there has been minimal to no discernible progress in addressing this pressing issue,’’ he said.

“The consistent blockade of footpaths by these scooters has significantly eroded my sense of independence and substantially diminished my overall quality of life.’’

Mr Hryhorec’s legal challenges could not only affect Yarra’s participation in the trial, but also the other councils involved – Melbourne, Port Phillip and Ballarat.

The trial of the hire e-scooters and e-bikes began in December 2021 and has been extended to October this year.

An e-bike and fallen e-scooter obstructing a footpath in the City of Yarra.

Mr Hryhorec, who is also on Yarra council’s Disability Advisory Committee, said “we can’t allow this discrimination towards people with disabilities to go on any longer’’.

He has made three representations to councillors at Yarra’s monthly public meeting without any progress.

Neuron’s Australia and New Zealand head Jayden Bryant said the company worked with a number of organisations including the Australian Road Safety Foundation and Blind Citizens Australia so e-scooters can be used in the safest possible way.

“Recent research showed that 5 per cent our Australian riders have a disability or mobility impairment and that e-scooters play a positive role in moving them around the city,” Mr Bryant said.

The City of Yarra refused to comment.