One week after the introduction of an e-scooter trial in Ballarat, operator Neuron Mobility is urging riders to be cautious.
Key factors:
- More than 10,000 e-scooter rides have been taken for the reason that trial started with some incidents resulting in harm
- Irresponsible riders can face heavy fines with guidelines enforced round helmet, alcohol, and footpath use
- Operators have partnered with police to launch a safety campaign
More than 10,000 e-scooter rides have been taken for the reason that trial started with some incidents resulting in accidents.
Riders who do the mistaken factor can face heavy fines with guidelines governing helmet, alcohol and footpath use whereas on the scooters. The scooters additionally can’t be ridden by anybody under 18.
Ballarat is the primary metropolis in Victoria to be chosen for the e-scooter rent program, with this system additionally rolled out in Townsville, Bundaberg, Launceston, in addition to bigger cities throughout the nation.
Neuron Mobility and Victoria Police are urging riders in Ballarat to familiarise themselves with riding guidelines, launching a safety campaign tomorrow outdoors the city corridor.
Scooter safety scrutiny
Head of Australia and New Zealand at Neuron Mobility, Richard Hannah, mentioned the organisation would companion with Ballarat police to run a ‘ScootSafe’ occasion on Thursday.
“With thousands of trips taken in the first few days alone, we are already seeing how popular our e-scooters are in the city,” Mr Hannah mentioned.
The CEO of the Australia Road Safety Foundation, Russell White, urged riders to not be complacent when leaping on a scooter.
“E-scooters are a great means of getting around … However, riders must stay alert, behave responsibly, and follow the rules,” Mr White mentioned.
“There is an increased chance of people riding under the influence of alcohol during the holidays, increasing the chance for incidents … parents could also be tempted to ride with their children on the same e-scooter.
Police strongly implement guidelines
Ballarat police wrote on a social media post that they had “some considerations with the behaviour and compliance of a small variety of customers” during the trial.
Victoria Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir called community safety their “primary precedence”, which included keeping footpath and road users safe.
“Strict rules will probably be in place all through the Department of Transport’s e-scooter trial to make sure the safety of all street customers,” Mr Weir mentioned.
Riding on the footpath may incur a $182 fine, riding without a helmet could result in a $227 fine, and riding while under the influence of alcohol faces a fine of $227 plus disqualification of a licence.