Released 06/07/2020
Canberra is set to join with many cities around the world by introducing an e-scooter share scheme, with the ACT Government opening an expression of interest process for two e-scooter operators.
"E-scooters offer a new way of taking short, 'first mile/last mile' trips across the city, including connecting to and from public transport, said Minister for Roads and Active Travel, Chris Steel.
"This isn't just a new form of mobility, it will see the start of a brand new industry in the ACT, creating jobs in the management and maintenance of shared e-scooters."
Minister Steel said that a Dockless Shared Mobility policy and guidelines have been developed which set out the ACT Government's expectations for the operation of a high quality e-scooter scheme to deliver better transport choices for Canberrans.
"Two e-scooter operators will be selected to be issued permits under the Public Unleased Land Act 2013 for up to 750 devices each," Minister Steel said.
"In addition to the devices being provided in the inner city areas, e-scooters must be available in at least one other region to test operations in another part of Canberra."
The permits will outline how the e-scooters must be deployed on ACT public unleased land to comply with road rules and protect public safety.
This will include where devices can and cannot be parked. GPS will be used to limit the access of the scooters across Canberra and operators will work with Transport Canberra City Services to protect the public realm and safety of others by using geofencing technology.
"We anticipate that the e-scooters will be popular with tourists, using them to explore Canberra and move between our national and cultural institutions. We have engaged with the NCA and the ANU so that they can regulate e-scooter share schemes on their land in a similar way to the rest of the city," Minister Steel said.
"Operators will be expected to manage their e-scooters to ensure that they do not clutter our streetscapes and urban areas, that their fleets are regularly rebalanced, and that they do not block people walking or moving through public spaces.
"The Government will be closely monitoring the safety of the e-scooter share schemes. Operators must demonstrate that they are safe, and the ACT Government reserves the right to act in the public interest to put safety first."
Electric scooters are already legal to use on shared paths and footpaths in the ACT. They are not permitted on roads or on-road bicycle lanes (except on residential streets where there is no footpath). They are subject to a maximum speed of 15km/h on footpaths and up to 25km/h in all other permitted locations. Users must give way to pedestrians and keep to the left.
It is anticipated that e-scooters will be available to hire as early as August 2020. Information, including upcoming meeting details can be found at www.transport.act.gov.au. Applications to operate the dockless e-scooter scheme will be open from 20 July until 3 August, 2020.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases