By W. G. S. D. Wijesinghe, Jadetimes news
The city of Melbourne has decided to ban rental e scooters, citing significant safety concerns. This decision marks a reversal from the initial support for the scooters when they were introduced in February 2022 as part of a two year trial. The trial, however, led to hundreds of accidents, triggering public complaints and widespread dissatisfaction.
Mayor Nicholas Reece expressed frustration over the irresponsible behaviour of some scooter users, noting that the devices were frequently ridden on footpaths and poorly parked, creating tripping hazards and cluttering the city. Reece likened the situation to that in Paris, where e scooters were banned last September, and indicated his intention to follow suit.
In a 6-4 vote, the city council decided to implement the ban almost immediately, giving operators Lime and Neuron 30 days to remove their scooters from the streets. Despite still having six months left on their contracts, both companies had been lobbying vigorously to continue operations, emphasizing their recent investments in safety improvements, including Neuron’s plans to install AI cameras on the scooters to prevent misuse.
A Neuron spokesperson criticized the council’s decision, arguing that they had been in discussions to introduce measures such as restricting scooter use to less congested areas or establishing designated riding zones. The spokesperson also noted that the ban exceeded the reforms proposed by the state government.
Since the trial began, approximately 1,500 scooters had been deployed throughout Melbourne, contributing to a reported reduction in the city’s carbon emissions by over 400 tonnes and encouraging increased use of public transportation. However, the initiative also highlighted significant risks. The Royal Melbourne Hospital reported that nearly 250 scooter riders were treated for injuries in 2022, with the majority of incidents linked to intoxication, speeding, and helmet non compliance. The hospital further noted that some accidents had resulted in fatalities and severe injuries, particularly among younger individuals.
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