Speed limit trial for e-scooters, but 5kmh rejected

The Dunedin City Council has opted for a six-month trial of a new central-city "footpath courtesy zone'' - including a 15kmh speed limit - for Lime and other e-scooters.

But councillors have rejected a last-minute push to further reduce the voluntary speed limit from 15kmh to just 5kmh.

Councillors at yesterday's full council meeting voted to endorse the trial zone, including the 15kmh speed limit, for a section of George and Princes Sts, between Albany and Rattray Sts.

A 12-month trial had been suggested, but councillors settled on six months after also considering a shorter three-month stint, or a 12-month trial with an early out-clause.

Council community services general manager Simon Pickford said the trial aimed to encourage good behaviour by riders using the footpath, and would be backed by a public education campaign.

The suggestion of a 15kmh voluntary speed limit was based on what was happening in Auckland, but could be changed if councillors wished, he told the meeting.

Some councillors, including Jim O'Malley, supported the higher speed limit because they feared a lower 5kmh limit would be "completely ignored''.

Others, such as Cr Mike Lord, wanted the lower limit to avoid the potential for heavy collisions on footpaths, and to encourage scooter riders to use the road instead.

But Cr Damian Newell was against that, arguing the city had already seen what happened when a scooter rider and truck collided.

Cr Christine Garey also cautioned councillors to consider the perceived risk for older residents, some of whom had told her they now avoided the central city over fears of a collision with a Lime scooter.

Councillors eventually voted to endorse the six-month trial option while rejecting lower speed limits.

The vote followed a request from councillors frustrated at the lack of enforcement tools available after the launch of Lime e-scooters in February.

A staff report said both police and Lime supported the proposal, which would have no regulatory penalties for breaking the speed limit.

A review of the council's mobile trading bylaw was also under way, which aims to give it greater controls over the use of e-scooters.

Comments

Older residents now avoided the central city over fears of a collision with a Lime scooter. So much for courtesy.

 

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