Adelaide e-scooters face council speed limit review

There a new calls to slow down Adelaide’s e-scooters amid complaints and new data revealing how many people have been hit and hurt.

The brakes could be put on electric scooters in the CBD following a string of complaints about hooning riders.

It comes as council data shows there have been at least 31 crashes in the first half of 2021, a third which involved a third party. Of them, five required medical treatment.

At its last meeting Adelaide City Council agreed to look into e-scooter and bicycle “speed and behaviours” on footpaths following a push from councillor Phillip Martin who said pedestrians and hospitality workers risked serious injury if struck by a speedster.

The council planned to investigate whether it had any legal power to “monitor and moderate” e-scooter and bike riders on footpaths.

Mr Martin said North Adelaide residents had complained about speeding e-scooters.

He did not say whether speed should be dropped lower than 15km/h.

eBikes and scooter on the corner of King William Road and Grote Street. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“I’ve had a number of people come to me to say there has been occasions where bikes and e-scooters have come at speed and they have difficulty getting out the road quickly enough,” Mr Martin said.

“The vast majority of e-scooter and bike riders do the right thing but there is a small minority that need a more clear direction.

“I just want a measure, or a suite of measures, to enhance safety on our footpaths.”

The council could install speed limit signage, the meeting heard.

E-scooters rental providers Neuron Mobility and Beam have permits to operate on city streets.

Combined, the scooters have been used at least 700,000 times across the CBD and North Adelaide since January 2020.

Beam Head of Communications (ANZ) Michelle Leong said the company would work with the council to alleviate any concerns.

However, Ms Leong said it would be “impossible” for users to speed “recklessly”.

“As a shared micromobility operator, Beam uses technology such as speed reduction, high precision GPS and geofencing, to make every trip a safer one,” Ms Leong said.

Michelle Leong says Beam will work with Adelaide City Council to ensure rider safety Picture: Mireille Merlet

Neuron Mobility was contacted for comment.

Earlier this month, Neuron Mobility launched its ScootSafe campaign, in partnership with the Australian Road Safety Foundation, to encourage e-scooter safety.

A report with findings would be presented to elected members in February 2022.

It comes as Port Adelaide Enfield Council knocked back a proposal to allow e-scooters into side streets up to Military Rd.

Instead, it agreed that it would allow e-scooters between Glanville Station and the foreshore.

Currently, in conjunction with West Torrens and Charles Sturt councils, e-scooters are allowed along the cost until April 2022.

A Transport Department spokesman said the 15km/h allowed was “significantly lower” than some interstate jurisdictions that allow 25km/h.

“Under the conditions of trials, local councils are responsible for working with e-scooter operators to ensure public amenities such as footpaths and driveways are kept clear,” he said.

Originally published as Adelaide e-scooters face council speed limit review