WA announces investigation into electric scooters

One state is taking a hard look at electric scooters following the shocking death of a father.

The WA government will launch a statewide investigation into the safety of electric scooters in response to growing community concern.

The government will set up a bipartisan Parliamentary Committee to find ways to strengthen the safety and regulation of the “e-rideables”.

The state has had four fatalities involving e-rideables since the start of the year, including that of Perth dad Thahn Phan, who was allegedly hit by a British tourist last week on a rented e-scooter.

Following that incident the state government said that it needed to do more.

“We have very strict regulations about the speed of e-scooters,” said Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti.

“But it’s obvious we need to do more on compliance.” she said.

The committee is set to investigate the expansion of penalties, how the vehicles are rented, how they are used in congested areas and how technology like speed limiting can be used to make them safer.

Announcing the new committee, Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said the government wanted to do “as much as possible” to keep everyone safe from e-rideables.

“I’ve become increasingly concerned about safety issues around e-rideables and e-scooters and I’m particularly concerned about the safety and the vulnerability of pedestrians as well as those people who ride these devices,” Mr Whitby said.

“And I think there’s a growing community concern also.”

Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby announced the Parliamentary Committee. Picture: Supplied

Other measures to be considered by the committee are night-time curfews and the use of e-scooters in entertainment districts.

Asked by reporters on Saturday morning, Mr Whitby said a ban of the vehicles on footpaths would “absolutely” be considered.

Mr Whitby said it was important that the state had a bipartisan approach to the reforms, acknowledging that he wanted the community to work together.

The committee will deliver its report in September and Mr Whitby said in the meantime the police would need to maintain “vigilance” in their enforcement.

E-rideables have come under fire nationally in recent months as fatalities continue to mount.

Originally published as WA announces investigation into electric scooters