Premier Peter Gutwein urges Hobart City Council not to make “knee-jerk reaction” on e-scooters

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has weighed into the debate on a trial of e-scooters, saying it has been successful and should not be abandoned. LATEST >>>

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has backed the use of e-scooters and says he hopes the Hobart City Council does not make a knee-jerk reaction in response to criticism about the vehicles.

On Monday night, the council will vote on whether to suspend a trial of e-scooters in the city, as well as whether to ban them from Hobart ­footpaths.

There have been a string of incidents involving e-scooters in recent weeks, including one where an elderly woman was knocked over after stepping out of a cafe at Sandy Bay.

Mr Gutwein said the state government had provided the access and regulations to ­enable the trial, but council could determine what streets and footpaths the e-scooters were ridden on.

“I would hope they don’t have a knee-jerk reaction ... and they proceed cautiously, and, if necessary, that they use the levers that are available to them should they wish to make zones safer,’’ he said.

“Also they can engage with the two scooter companies that are part of the trial.

“I believe that the tools are there to ensure that scooters can continue ... what has been, I think, broadly, a very successful trial and one that’s been well accepted and taken up by the community.”

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Photo: Linda Higginson

After the incident involving the elderly woman, one of the e-scooter companies, Beam, decided to introduce a no-ride zone between Queen St and Russell Cres on Sandy Bay Rd.

Beam Australia general manager Tom Cooper said the first month of a trial was always going to be challenging.

“We are working hard to implement changes to curb anti-social and illegal riding behaviour,’’ Mr Cooper said.

“With over 110,000 rides in the first month between the two operators, residents and visitors are loving the addition of the e-scooters as a transport option.”

No-go zone for section of Sandy Bay strip

E-scooters have been barred from Sandy Bay Road after a rider crashed headlong into an elderly lady stepping out of Brew Cafe.

The thin stretch of footpath between Queen St and Russell Crescent is now a no-go-zone for both Beam and Neuron riders and it is now buffered by an adjacent slow zone.

However, Brew Cafe owner Richard Scarr says he still sees Neuron riders careening down the narrow footpath, which is dotted with doorways.

“This Saturday just gone I saw the orange ones going flat out, even faster,” Mr Scarr said.

“Having spoken to the police and having spoken to Hobart Council, it clearly doesn’t matter what we say. There’s no significant changes being made.

“I’m just over it. There’s a whole heap of administrators doing hand-wringing, but nothing changes.”

On Monday Hobart City Council will vote on whether to suspend the e-scooter trial, as well as whether to ban them from Hobart footpaths altogether.

Mr Scarr said he wouldn’t go quite that far, but that he would like to see more people slowing down and exercising more common sense in crowded areas.

CRASH: A Beam e-scooter rider runs headlong into a woman outside the Brew cafe on Sandy Bay Road. Picture: Supplied

“I haven’t got a problem with the e-scooters - I think they’re a great opportunity. The only thing I ask is they just go slow near my shop so they don’t run people over,” he said.

“If we can be mindful and we can keep being progressive, then we can have nice new shiny things so long as we don’t abuse it.”

Beam’s Australian general manager Tom Cooper said the company would continue tweaking the trial to ensure Tasmanians remained safe.

“We have created multiple new ‘no ride’ and ‘slow’ zones in both cities, to deter anti-social behaviour and dangerous riding, and are bringing our ‘three strikes’ policy to Tasmania to discourage riders bent on doing the wrong thing,” Mr Cooper said.

“We believe that, as cities have found with road safety for cars, the safe introduction and expansion of micromobility on Tasmanian roads is a combination of several things, including education, quality of vehicles, infrastructure and enforcement. “

The company has tracked down and had a talking to the Sandy Bay Rd rider, who was a tourist visiting from the mainland.

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