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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 788 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 17 November 2021 by Dr K. Stratton

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

E-RIDEABLE DEVICES — REGULATIONS

788. Dr K. STRATTON to the Minister for Road Safety:

I refer to the McGowan Labor government's recent announcement regarding new laws for e-rideable devices.

(1) Can the minister outline to the house how these laws will ensure that devices such as e-scooters can use our roads and paths more safely?

(2) Can the minister advise the house what these changes could mean for tourism operators?

Mr P. PAPALIA replied:

(1)–(2) I thank the member for her question and for the opportunity to bring to the attention of anyone who may have missed it possibly the most dynamic press conference of the year, involving myself and the Minister for Transport on scooters! I bring to the attention of the house the benefits that will accrue to the state from the changes that will come in on 4 December. At that time, we will actually make it lawful to use e-rideables. A matter of technology getting ahead of legislation meant that, at the moment, even though they are incredibly popular and growing in number by the day, people are using e-rideables unlawfully. We are going to enable people to use them in a lawful fashion. We are going to set a few rules around it and make it a little bit safer, and ensure that some businesses get the opportunity to create new opportunities for work and employment here in Western Australia, and add to the tourism sector's dynamism.

E-rideables include e-scooters, e-skateboards, electric rollerskates and hoverboards, and, frighteningly, e-unicycles—something I will not go anywhere near! The new regulations will specify a speed limit of 25 kilometres an hour for e-rideables on bike paths, shared paths and local roads, consistent with regulations in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand. The speed limit on footpaths and in pedestrian areas will be 10 kilometres an hour. Users will be required to give way to pedestrians and keep to the left of oncoming riders.

Users of e-rideables must be at least 16 years of age for the types of e-rideables that are able to travel at 25 kilometres an hour. They must wear an approved helmet, use lights and reflectors at night, and have a working warning device like a horn or a bell. The same mobile phone, drink-driving and drug-driving rules that apply to motor vehicles will apply to these guys. For children under 16 years, they are quite okay to continue to use e-rideables with a power output of up to 200 watts, or a speed limit of 10 kilometres an hour. That is still okay, for people who may have been concerned about that.

We have made it safer. People will be allowed to use e-rideables lawfully. I am sure e-rideables will grow in number and that people in Western Australia will enthusiastically take up the opportunity for an environmentally friendly way of getting around. From 4 December, it will enable businesses to establish e-rideable rental opportunities. If members go to cities around the world, even in Canberra and Brisbane right now, they will see on many corners of CBDs the opportunity to grab one and rent it to zip up the road a little way, getting around the city more effectively. Places like Rottnest Island and Fremantle, and other places where it is suitable for tourists, will benefit enormously.