Adrian Warner, the Road Safety Commission chief, advocates for improved standards surrounding e-scooters rather than outright bans following a tragic incident in Perth. City of Perth has currently banned e-scooter hire indefinitely. This decision comes in the wake of the tragedy December 2022 death of 51-year-old pedestrian Thanh Phan, who was hit by a rented e-scooter. Warner has vision on e-scooters as a win-win value proposition. He understands that safety concerns can’t be ignored at a time when their use has skyrocketed.
Since regulation of e-rideables in late 2021, the Road Safety Commission has logged nine deaths involving these devices. Alarmingly, three of these deaths occurred in WA in just the past 18 months. In particular, two of those deaths happened within the last two weeks alone. The recent spate of tragic incidents has renewed conversations about e-scooter safety and regulation, both locally and at the state level.
Government Response to Recent Incidents
The temporary suspension of e-scooter hiring in Perth had mass appeal. Trauma surgeons, especially, made clear the need for action to save lives through improved safety measures. Minister for Transport Reece Whitby adamantly opposed introducing high-powered e-scooters. He is going to raise this matter with his police minister colleagues from around the country, advocating for a ban on the importation of high speed e-rideables. Now, officials are expressing a more general concern over the safety of these high-powered e-scooters. Almost all jurisdictions agree that these devices have no place in Australia.
A recent review of WA’s e-scooter system found widespread compliance problems. The report calls for an immediate review of penalties and policies for e-rideable violations. It provides several recommendations for better enforcement in order to ensure compliance with current laws. Responding to concerns raised, the WA Police released plans for a greater police presence around Perth CBD and Northbridge, promising to educate riders and enforce rules.
“We’ve got to get that balance right, we need to keep doing a bit of enforcement, keep doing education, keep engaging with the community,” – Adrian Warner.
The Role of E-scooters in Urban Mobility
Warner believes that e-scooters are one piece of the answer to ongoing urban congestion and pollution challenges. He insists that they’re an ideal complement to public transport networks, especially in crowded megacities. At the same time, he is sensible to the dangers of their use and underscores the need for safety precautions.
In his remarks, Warner challenged the current classification system for these devices. He questioned, “At what point do we admit that they’re unicycle and bicycles? Shouldn’t we be regulating them more in line with motorcycles or mopeds?” He emphasized the need for a clear regulatory framework that addresses both safety and accessibility while allowing for responsible enjoyment of e-scooters.
Even though he recognized the trend of increasing usage of e-scooters, Warner worried about adherence to current regulations. He noted that their recent enforcement activity has resulted in a substantial turnaround. Gone are the days of using illegal devices as brazenly. He stressed the need for riders to focus on pedestrian safety.
“And importantly, get that golden rule out, that is, if you’re on a bike, if you’re on a scooter, your job, the golden rule, is to not hit a pedestrian,” – Adrian Warner.
Looking Ahead: Future Regulations and Safety Initiatives
The tragic accident that took Thanh Phan’s life has sparked immediate and productive conversations among lawmakers and safety advocates. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, officials are considering new regulations that could include stricter standards for higher-powered e-rideables. Regulating these devices, Warner argues, could be a better approach rather than the outright bans.
The road ahead involves not only enforcing current regulations but engaging with the community to raise awareness about safe riding practices. Due to popular recent incidents, there’s prevailing acute public interest necessitating the regulation of e-scooters. What they don’t want is to make sure riders and pedestrians are safe from each other.
