Electric scooter rental trial taking place in Melbourne
Starting from next month, Melbourne's streets will be adorned with flashes of neon, orange, and green as the city embarks on an electric scooter trial. This initiative, supported by the RACV and the Lord Mayor, Sally Capp, is anticipated to offer a sustainable mobility solution for both tourists and Melburnians.
The trial, which will last for 12 months, will see 1,500 electric scooters available for hire across Melbourne, Yarra, and Port Phillip municipalities. The service is being operated by e-scooter experts Lime and Neuron Mobility.
To rent an e-scooter, riders must be over the age of 18 and wear a helmet, secured to the vehicle using an app-controlled "helmet lock." Riding e-scooters outside approved areas incurs a $182 fine, and riders do not need a driving license. However, breaching drink or drug-driving restrictions can lead to license cancellation or suspension. The regular 0.05 alcohol rule applies, but learner and provisional licence-holders must be 0.00.
The e-scooters can be ridden on bikeways, shared paths (excluding footpaths), and roads with a speed limit up to 50km/h. Riders are advised to visit the VicRoads website for a full list of regulations and penalties.
The electric scooter trial follows a similar program in Ballarat, which involved 250 scooters launched in December 2021. The trial is part of a National Transport Commission review into the safe use of personal mobility devices.
The Australian Road Rules may be amended as a result of the review, which aims to gather significant data during the trial to understand long-term e-scooter integration into the transport network. The trial is expected to be popular, with many viewing it as a new way to navigate the city.
Melbourne Lord Mayor, Sally Capp, has applauded the trial, stating, "This is an exciting opportunity for Melburnians and visitors to our city to explore new and sustainable ways of getting around."
The search results do not provide information about the operator of the e-scooter service starting February 1st in Melbourne. Riders will need to download the Lime and Neuron apps to access the scooters.
As the trial commences, Melbourne prepares to embrace a new form of sustainable transportation, with the promise of vibrant streets and a greener future.
