North Shore streets are set to be some of the first in NSW to trial electric scooters (e-scooters) but there are concerns over cost and potential safety risks, with North Sydney Council pushing back on Transport for NSW to fund it.
Local residents and tourists could soon be whizzing around the North Shore on scooters, with North Sydney and Willoughby City Council set to be some of the first in the state to sign up to the State Government’s e-scooter trial.
The trial, which is expected to last for 12 months and will be evaluated and monitored by Transport for NSW (TfNSW), aims to help ease traffic congestion, promote health benefits and help the environment.
As cost-of-living pressures rise and hikes in fuel prices continue, the technology is also more affordable than cars.
However, the cost to engage consultants to undertake the required Road Safety Audits for the trial is $250,000 – $300,000 and TfNSW wants the individual Councils to fund it.
North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker says this cost has not been included in Council’s current adopted Delivery Program and is urging the Department to cough up.
“It’s an impost if you’re being part of a trial,” she tells North Shore Living.
“It’s really important to have a trial in order to understand how it would work with traffic and pedestrian safety.
“Another issue is that Transport for NSW is asking each individual Council to define the parameters for the trial. Our concern is that the same parameters should be the same for each Council.
Paul Williams (left) from Cranks Bikes in Chatswood says he refuses to sell the ‘dangerous’ motorised vehicles.
“I would not be selling the ‘dangerous’ motorised vehicles.” Paul Williams, owner of Cranks Bikes Chatswood
“Some of the e-scooter companies can control the speed, including the limits set within a particular geographic area, but everything should be the same across the board.
“The resolved position of Council is that we’re interested in being part of the trial, but as the State Government is holding the trial, they ought to subsidise it and not put it to the Councils.
Given the caretaker period begins on 3 March, it will be interesting to see what happens.”
TfNSW has confirmed North Sydney is one of several Councils it is considering subsidising.
NSW is the only state where e-scooters are currently illegal to ride in public areas, but the State Government will use the trial to explore whether there is a safe way to lift the ban across the state.
While Mosman Council is not taking part in the e-scooter trial, Willoughby Council has commenced the process to invite tenders from scooter providers.
Willoughby Councillor Brendon Zhu, who supports the trial, says allowing the use of e-scooters could encourage residents to leave their cars at home.
He says the fact the scooters are legal in WA, in QLD, Tasmania and the ACT, “doesn’t make any sense to have them banned here.”
However, some local residents are against the trial, labelling the vehicles ‘dangerous’ with the potential to cause hazards including injuries, fires, and loss of amenities.
Local Tom Morris says e-scooters, “should require a motorcycle licence. Some have more power/torque than postie bikes and Vespas. Both of these are classed as motorcycles, and they should be off the footpath at all times.”
E-scooters are already being trialled in Melbourne.
Paul Williams, who owns Cranks Bikes Chatswood, says he would not be selling the ‘dangerous’ motorised vehicles.
In November, a man was placed in an induced coma in hospital and a woman treated for injuries after an e-scooter crash on the Northern Beaches.
In Melbourne, where e-scooters are already being used, data from Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit shows injuries to people riding electric scooters in the state has increased by 234 per cent in the past year.
These incidents have led to at least 427 hospital admissions, mainly due to broken bones, with two people dying from their injuries.
Willoughby Councillor Georgie Roussac says the trial must come with safeguards, explaining, “the vulnerable, the elderly and the young would be frightened by e-scooters.”
A spokesperson for Willoughby Council says the tender process for the e-scooter trial commenced in November last year.
“In undertaking this procurement process, the Council has been careful to ensure a sustainable outcome for our budget and internal resources.”
Transport Minister Rob Stokes says the trials will include various safeguards, explaining:
“New transport technologies like e-scooters are exciting and offer an affordable, convenient, and sustainable mode of mobility, particularly for first and last mile journeys.
“The NSW Government is keen to enable innovation, but safety is paramount.”
By Ana Foxcroft