A new inquiry into the use of e-rideables in Western Australia will examine safety risks, penalties, and potential restrictions as part of the Cook Government’s push to better manage the fast-growing mode of transport.
Road Safety and Police Minister Reece Whitby will move a motion in Parliament to establish the inquiry, tasking the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee with investigating how to improve the regulation of e-scooters and similar devices.
The bipartisan committee will review penalties for illegal use, consider curfews in entertainment precincts, and assess rules for both privately owned and for-hire e-rideables.
“I am very concerned about the safety of e-riders and pedestrians on Perth’s paths and roads, and that is why we’ve chosen to take a bipartisan approach on this important matter,” Mr Whitby said.
The inquiry will also examine injury data, including the time and location of incidents, severity, and whether the devices involved were privately owned or rented. It will look into the role of the Commonwealth in preventing non-compliant imports and review regulations around commercial e-rideable hire services.
“This latest commitment follows my work with WA Police, who carried out an enforcement blitz in entertainment precincts this past weekend,” Mr Whitby said.
He added that the Road Safety Commission had been asked to boost education and awareness efforts around the legal use of e-rideables.
The committee is expected to present its findings by the end of September.
