CHRONICLE COLUMN – E-SCOOTERS – 10 JANUARY 2023
There was a time when every kid in the neighbourhood had a push scooter. We had one and we LOVED it! It was exercise, it was balance, and it was freedom. These days the old push scooter is part of a collective called “Personal Mobility Devices”, or PMDs. They are joined by various kick scooters, motorised electric scooters, E-skateboards, hoverboards, Segways, self-balancing scooters, electric unicycles, foldables, trikes, bikes, and other machines.
Over the past ten years or so, PMDs have had a somewhat frosty relationship with other road/path users and with governments. But it’s time to face up to the fact that they are big business and will be key components in our future urban mobility. A regular in CBD’s. So, one way or another, we need stop the fear mongering and figure out how to live together in harmony.
What’s so great about them? Firstly, they reduce the number of car trips which means they are pretty good for the environment and for traffic congestion, they are a kind of exercise (especially the bicycle kind of PMD) they are relatively cheap, and they are fun.
What’s so bad about them? Honestly, the only bad bit is being in an accident – and yes, they can be dangerous if misused. PMDs don’t have third party insurance, which means if you do hit anyone or their Ferrari, you’ll be paying up from your own pocket. Before you start scooting about, might be an idea to ensure you can afford a bingle. Or alternatively, we advocate for the necessary insurance. Should we?
New E-Scooter laws!
You also need to know the rules – and there are many! Oh, that is right, we live in Queensland (LOL). But seriously, the Queensland Government updated PMD rules and regulations on 1 November 2022 so if you were lucky enough to get a Segway Ninebot S-pro for Christmas, here’s what you need to know.
First up, sorry young entrepreneurs and thrill seekers, you must be older than 16 to ride a PMD in public places. Even if your PMD can travel faster than 40km/h YOU cannot! You can’t go over 10km/h on a shared pedestrian path or 12km/h on a footpath or over 25km/h on a local road or bike path. The fines for speeding range between $143 and $575 and if you use your mobile phone in transit – the fine is $1078.
Do we want PMDs in Toowoomba? Of course, we do – BUT – how can we ever get them? If from Toowoomba we can rocket into space, surely, we can work out how to scoot around the city safely.
