E-scooter businesses will need permits before hitting Dunedin streets if a new bylaw gets approval.
Dunedin City Council community services general manager Simon Pickford said people raised safety concerns with the council when a commercial e-scooter scheme began trading in Dunedin.
Lime Scooters started operations in Dunedin in January last year.
"While there is a memorandum of understanding in place for this business, we began reviewing the bylaw to cover this type of commercial activity to address public safety concerns and have clear requirements for the future," Mr Pickford said.
Under the proposed Trading in Public Places Bylaw, businesses such as e-scooter or bike rentals would require a permit and need to comply with conditions.
A spokeswoman for Lime did not respond to a request for comment by deadline yesterday.
The proposed bylaw also covered the activities of other commercial users of footpaths such as buskers, street fundraisers and footpath artists but would not mean much change for most, he said.
“Buskers, street fundraisers and footpath artists don’t pay a fee now and that wouldn’t change. They already need to have a permit or permission and we’d look to have a simple way for them to get permits.”
No changes were proposed to the rules and conditions for mobile trading and temporary stall sites.
The bylaw also puts forward two options to support a smoke-free Dunedin — a discount for licensed premises with smoke-free outdoor areas or making smoke-free outdoor areas a requirement for the commercial use of footpaths.
People can have their say until 5pm on Monday, August 3 via dunedin.govt.nz/consultation or at council customer service centres and libraries.
