The City of Melbourne has banned e-scooter operators in the city due to concerns they pose a daily safety risk.
Operators Lime and Neuron Mobility will have one month to ensure that all e-scooters are removed from the streets in the city.
Private individuals who own a scooter will still be able to ride within the city provided that they comply with the road rules.
In a statement provided to the Epoch Times, Lord Mayor Nick Reece said residents, visitors, and traders “have had enough” after two years of trial.
“Safety remains our number one priority. While the Victorian government’s shared e-scooter scheme has been popular in Melbourne, there have also been serious issues,” he said.
Reece explained the safety of Melburnians was constantly being jeopardised by e-scooter riders who were “doing the wrong thing.”
“Riding on footpaths, double-dinking, riding without helmets and riding under the influence. E-scooters are thrown across our footpaths, parks, and public spaces—creating trip hazards.”
Since February 2022, the City of Melbourne has been part of the Victorian government’s shared e-scooter trial, alongside the City of Port Phillip and City of Yarra.
Reece said there had been “more than enough time” to make the necessary improvements, yet the city had not seen any changes.
“Councillors have decided it’s time to call an end to this trial,” he added.
He said the City of Melbourne would continue to encourage our community to take up active forms of transport.
“Private e-scooters are still permitted in the City of Melbourne, and we still have the extensive share scheme e-bikes. People who ride free up space on our roads and public transport for Melburnians and visitors who choose these options,” he said.
‘Permanent’ E-Scooters in Victoria
This comes just a month after the Victorian government announced it would permanently allow e-scooters to operate across Victoria following a two-year trial.At the time, the government said new legislation would be introduced next year, noting that share hire e-scooters were only legal in council areas that have an agreement with an operator.
This promised legislation included a vow to mandate new technology for safety and tougher penalties for misuse.
However, City of Melbourne noted that it also handed “authority over to individual councils” to decide if operations would continue.
Specifically, it can pull out from the current agreements with providers by providing just five days warning.
Contracted e-scooter providers for Melbourne have been notified of the decision and are required to “cease operations in the municipality” by Sept. 18.
Following City of Melbourne’s decision, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters she really hoped the council could reconsider its decision.
“My message to e-scooter users and lovers is that if you want to see e-scooters part of our transport network, make sure that they’re used appropriately.”
Council elections in Victoria will be held in October.
Royal Melbourne Hospital Study Finds E-Scooters and Injury Link
The study examined hospital and registry data between January 2022 and January 2023. Out of those injured, there were 247 riders and nine pedestrians.
The majority of these patients were men at 69 percent, and the median age of these patients was 29.5 years of age.
The injuries included impact on the head and upper limbs, abrasions, and fractures. Alcohol use was considered a factor in 34 percent of these injuries, while 33 percent of patients were using a helmet.
The median cost of these injuries was $1,321.66 (US$896) per patient.
The paper concluded that the findings underscore the “urgent need for improved safety measures to minimise electric scooter-related injuries and their clinical and economic repercussions.”
“Electric scooter usage, as observed through patient presentations to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, is associated with a considerable number of injuries, primarily among young males, and an ensuing substantial economic burden,” the paper stated.
