Safety concerns raised as electric scooters arrive in New Zealand | Stuff.co.nz
Electric scooters have been labelled a "menace on footpaths" by a walking group concerned about their safety.
On Monday, California-based company Lime launched 600 electric scooters (e-scooters) in Auckland and 400 in Christchurch. Cameron Swanson from Lime's new market development department, said the app took the number one download spot on the New Zealand App Store in under 24 hours.
They can travel at speeds of up to 27kmh and have a maximum range of 48km - a worry for Living Streets Aotearoa, an organisation that promotes walking-friendly communities.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/STUFF
Lime e-scooters launched in Auckland and Christchurch on Monday.
Living Streets Aotearoa executive member Gay Richards said having e-scooters on footpaths was dangerous for pedestrians - especially the elderly. Transport organisations in the city said they would monitor their use.
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"If they're hit, it's the fact that they'll really be hurt," Richards said.
Even minor injuries such as cuts and bruises could be life-changing and head injuries could become very serious, she said.
IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF
An electric scooter user on Colombo St in Christchurch.
Richards added they could also cause extra congestion when used on busy footpaths such as in Queen St in Auckland city centre.
E-scooters were "unpredictable" and the safety conditions applied to users were "ambiguous at best and does not provide any comfort to those confronted with speedsters", she said.
"It is too much to expect a child or frail older person, or any pedestrian, to have to stick up for themselves with the all too frequent inconsiderate footpath vehicle user."
CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF
Living Streets Aotearoa says having e-scooters on footpaths are dangerous but a Lime spokesman says the safety level is on par with walking.
"We just don't want them on footpaths, cluttering footpaths," Richards said.
"It just seems silly e-scooters can't be used on cycle lanes."
A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman said e-scooters had been allowed in New Zealand since 2004 and there was no evidence to suggest people should be concerned about their use.
"The NZ Transport Agency is closely monitoring their usage and uptake," the spokesman said.
"The main guidance for e-scooter riders is to be as safe as possible and be aware that cyclists, other road users and pedestrians may not hear them approaching.
"Good behaviour remains the priority when people ride e-scooters and anyone riding dangerously on the footpath or road may be subject to police enforcement."
Auckland Transport's manager of walking, cycling and road safety, Kathryn King, said Auckland Transport and Auckland Council were working closely "to ensure the number of scooters or bikes available under any licensed scheme is appropriate for the area".
"Licences are granted on a trial basis and we agree on the number of scooters or bikes to be introduced before a service begins, and this number can be reviewed at any point if there are too many scooters or bikes operating," King said.
"We want to ensure that the number is enough for people to use, as well as making sure the footpath is not cluttered for people walking."
At the Auckland launch of Lime's e-scooters on Monday, New Zealand Lime spokesman Hank Rowe said "scooter share has proven itself to be a global phenomenon and we expect to see the same here".
"On the drive here, every Lime [scooter] we saw was either being unlocked or ridden," Rowe said.
"We do recommend wearing a helmet - the NZTA states we don't require helmets to ride these scooters, however if it's raining or if you do intend on riding on the road for a long period we do recommend wearing a helmet."
However, on shorter distances around the city and on footpaths, the safety level was on par with walking, he said.