Speedy Lime scooters likely to be reined in

Work is under way on law changes that will impose a 10kmh speed limit for Lime electric scooters, with the Government set to consult on the new rules early this year.

In October 2018, the Californiabased company launched 600 e-scooters in Auckland and 400 in Christchurch. More have been released in Hutt Valley and Dunedin since then.

But the scooters soon became a topic of controversy, with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff ordering an urgent scooter safety report in October after councillor Christine Fletcher was almost hit by a rider.

Goff later raised safety concerns with Transport Minister Phil Twyford. In his letter, he asked that the Ministry of Transport instruct police to pull up ‘‘dangerous scooter use’’ and raised the possibility of an e-scooter speed limit.

Stuff has been provided with a copy of Twyford’s response.

It shows the Government is considering a package of law changes called Accessible Streets, to increase the safety of all users on the footpath.

‘‘Among the proposed measures is a proposed maximum speed limit for all vehicles that are allowed on the footpath,’’ Twyford wrote. ‘‘I expect that this package will be ready for consultation in early 2019.’’

A spokeswoman for duty minister Grant Robertson said the maximum speed limit proposed under Accessible Streets was 10kmh.