Best Australian Cities for Electric Scooter Commuting
Source: NGMobility
An increasing number of people are concerned about the environment. It’s driving interest in alternative technologies, specifically escooters.
These simple-to-use machines are often more convenient than public transport, cheaper than any other form of commute, (except walking), and a surprising amount of fun. It makes the fact that they have zero emissions a bonus.
Sadly, as with any type of transport, there are risks. A recent report showed that, in 2021 in Queensland, 100 people were referred to the emergency department.
That shouldn’t put you off purchasing one! Just make sure you choose a reputable dealer in escooters, Brisbane as you’ll be given all relevant state regulations at the time of purchase.
Legality of Escooters
Esccoters are defined as a type of motorised personal transport. That means they are regulated by each state but the rules can be different depending on where you live.
Some states and cities are more open to the idea of escooters than others. Here are the three best Australian cities for escooter commuting.
Brisbane
It’s fair to say that Brisbane is the most friendly escooter city in Australia.
Escooters are allowed to ride on pavements, although pedestrians have priority. They can also be used in bike lanes and on the road, provided the road speed limit is under 50 km/h.
It’s worth noting that Brisbane was the first city in Australia to bring in clear regulations and make it possible for escooters to operate legally in designated areas.
It’s no wonder some of the best escooter stores are in Brisbane.
If you’re riding in Brisbane, you must wear a helmet, be at least 16 years old for independent riding, and have lights when riding at night. You also need to limit your speed to 12 km/h on pavements and 25 km/h on the road.
Adelaide
Adelaide has seen how well Brisbane has incorporated escooters into the city road network and has quickly followed their lead.
Escooters are legal in Adelaide with similar rules to Brisbane. The speed on pavements/footpaths is 15 km/h, slightly higher than Brisbane. It’s okay to do 25 km/h in bike lanes but there are very few roads that can be used.
Again, you must wear a helmet, have lights at night and you can’t rent an escooter unless you’re over 18.
Melbourne
Melbourne is also following Brisbane’s lead, although a little more slowly. They are currently introducing escooter zones, but on a trial basis.
At present, you can ride in selected bike lanes, on council shared paths, and only on public roads if they are part of a rental program.
The trial areas have maximum speed limits of 20 km/h, helmets are obligatory, and night riding is only allowed in specific areas.
Summing Up
There is no doubt that Brisbane is currently the best city in Australia for escooter commuting. However, other cities are following their lead and trial programs are rolling out everywhere.
If your city isn’t yet escooter friendly, it’s likely it will be in the future. You don’t need to move! Just make sure you’re aware of and heed all the necessary regulations.
