City to vote on trial of scooters

DEVONPORT will become the fourth Tasmanian city to get e-scooters if the council this week votes to endorse a trial – but they might be excluded from residential areas.

The Devonport City Council could also vote to continue to monitor the risk and benefits from trials in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart before making a decision.

“While some of the potential benefits of micro-mobility services in large cities such as parking and traffic congestion mitigation are not as directly relevant for Devonport, other potential benefits such as flexible transport options as an alternative to existing public transport services may provide significant benefits,” the council agenda says.

“An appropriately configured trial would provide the evidence to determine local demand, benefits and operational impacts of a commercial hire e-scooter service.”

During Hobart’s trial, almost 420,000 individual rides have taken place over a distance of nearly 500,000km.

Twenty-two e-scooter related injuries have been reported, with 19 needing first aid or medical treatment

The remaining three were serious incidents, which resulted in hospitalisation for 24 hours or more.

In November, the state government introduced amendments to the Traffic Act 1925 to legalise the use of personal mobility devices in Tasmania.

Users of such devices are subject to the same road rules as other road users, with Tasmanian Police able to enforce these road and traffic laws.

“With some trials in other local government areas now under way for over six months and progressed beyond their initial implementation phase, a greater understanding of the operating models, utilisation, and risk mitigation strategies is available,” the council said.

“During the trial, several changes have been implemented by the Hobart City Council such as adjustments to the operating areas, speed restrictions, permitted and restricted parking locations, and scooter management requirements by the operators.”