There is significant community support for the use of electric scooters and similar devices in the ACT.

E-scooters and similar devices are currently not permitted to be used in public areas in the ACT. A recent YourSay community survey sought the community’s views on a range of issues related to e-scooter use, in relation to:

• what maximum speeds should be
• where these devices should be allowed to travel, and
• whether there should be restrictions on who could use the devices.

670 contributions were made to the YourSay community survey from a range of groups, including parents, public transport users, pedestrians, cyclists and people who have used these devices in other jurisdictions.

Some of the community’s key responses were:

• People over 16 years of age should be allowed to ride these devices unsupervised (47% support)
• The maximum speed should be 25km/h (36% support) with speed restrictions dependent on location (e.g. slower speed on footpaths and faster speeds in bicycle lanes). 44% of those surveyed would prefer a lower speed, under 25km/h
• Use of bicycle lanes is supported (89%), as well as use on footpaths (75%)
• There is strong support for e-scooter and similar device use, particularly for connecting to and from public transport
• 86% said that these devices should be allowed on public transport.

Speaking ahead of a Road Safety Forum held in Canberra today, Minister for Road Safety Shane Rattenbury welcomed this input from the community.

“It’s great to see this level of engagement from the Canberra community on this issue. We’ll now take these contributions on board in developing a framework that encourages the use of e-scooters, while not compromising on road safety.

“Aside from being zippy and fun, e-scooters are a sustainable form of travel, especially as the ACT will soon have 100% renewable electricity that can be used for recharging.

"Importantly, transport options like e-scooters can help people avoid car trips, connect to public transport, and be more active. They can provide benefits for the environment such as reducing pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise.

“Today’s road safety forum will bring together a range of key stakeholders and experts to discuss key issues relating to e-scooters and similar devices, to help shape how we can allow their use in Canberra by the end of this year.”

These efforts support the ACT’s legislated target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 or earlier.

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