Hi-tech commuters hitting the streets
A HI-TECH squad of commuters have taken to whizzing around Hobart on electric-powered gadgets as part of a new group of micromobility enthusiasts.
The PEV Riders of Tasmania is a new group for fans of personal electric vehicles, which were legalised in Tasmania late last year to make way for the e-scooter trial.
Its members ride an eclectic mix of e-unicycles, e-skateboards, e-bikes and other hitech gizmos as an eco-friendly alternative to cars.
The group is organised by security guard Warren Brazel,
who rides an electric unicycle alongside his 10-year-old daughter Erica.
Mr Brazel said he thought the one-wheeled contraptions looked “insane” when he first laid eyes on them, but after trying them for a while he became hooked.
He is convinced that personal electric vehicles will be the future of commuting in Hobart as the city catches up to the worldwide micromobility trend.
“Once you jump on them it’s like reliving your youth again – it’s so much fun,” Mr Brazel said.
“Once they upgrade the Tasman Bridge it’s going to be
a boon for commuting in Hobart. We’re going to see a lot more people cycling or taking electric vehicles to work.”
He said it took him three days before got the hang of electric unicycles, but Erica had the knack and was zipping around in just three hours.
Erica said she was “bad at it” at first, but now cruises around Hobart with ease.
“I actually started riding an electric scooter, but now I feel more safe on an electric unicycle than a scooter,” she said.
“We’ve been going on at least 10 rides with other people and now some new people
have been joining us.”
Laura Drysdale said she loves the freedom of cruising around Hobart on her escooter, which allows her to sail past the cars stuck in traffic. Ms Drysdale said it had been her go-to way of getting around, especially now that petrol can cost upwards of $2 per litre.
“The battery will go 65km before I need to charge it and it costs me only 20cs for a full battery,” Ms Drysdale said.
“My mobility is not great and I can’t walk very far, but with this I’m out and about and it’s a lot more fun than driving.”
Rik Gunton works at JB
Hi-Fi and has noticed escooters and e-skateboards flying off the shelves since the e-scooter trial began in December.
Mr Gunton has been an avid skateboarder for 41 years and has recently begun dabbling in e-skateboards, which are operated with a remote controller.
He said he was now a convert and addicted to the feeling of effortlessly cruising uphill.
“It’s nothing like skateboarding – it’s more like going up to the snow without the snow,” Mr Gunton said.
“It’s like carving the endless wave.”