So we’re now covered under the ARRs, what’s next?

The recent addition of a Personal Mobility Device (PMD) framework to the Australian Road Rules has been a major step towards achieving consistent nationwide legalisation for our devices, but what does it mean for us, and where do we go from here?

We’ve gathered a list of frequently asked questions:

Got another pressing question for us? Ask away and we’ll add it to this page.

Is it now legal to ride my device outside?

If you live in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or the Northern Territory, it is still illegal to ride a PMD in a public area.

PMDs do not fit neatly within the categories of pedestrian, bicycle, wheeled toy, motorcycle or car, so there are no rules in place allowing you to ride on a footpath, shared path, cycleway or public road. If caught, a law enforcement officer can treat your vehicle as any of the above and issue anything from a fine for improperly using a footpath, through to driving an unregistered Class A motor vehicle, which can result in a fine, demerit points and the impounding of your device.

 

Will it be legal to ride my device in public?

With these new amendments to the Australian Road Rules, the intention is that every state and territory will have the same consistent rules allowing us to legally use our devices on public footpaths, shared paths, cycleways and local roads.

Though the ARRs are model laws and not legally binding, it has historically been very rare that an amendment has been endorsed by the Transport and Infrastructure Council (comprising of the transport ministers from each state) but then rejected or significantly altered by a state or territory.

There is a high likelihood that every state will legalise the use of PMDs in line with the ARR rules.

Eventually.

 

I live in one of these states. How long until it becomes legal?

These are our current best guesses at the legalisation timeline for each state. We will update this answer as more information becomes available.

There are currently trials in various cities and local government areas in these states for shared e-scooter schemes. After these trials, advocacy will be required to ensure the legalisation of personal mobility devices including those that are privately owned.

VICTORIA
The Victorian Government is currently in the midst of a 12-month controlled trial of rideshare e-scooters in a handful of cities. It is our hope that after this process, they will legalise PMDs for all within 6-18 months.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The South Australian Government has approved rideshare e-scooter trials in several cities and regions. Feedback so far has regarded the City of Adelaide trials to be a success, with the City Council voting to support statewide legalisation and adoption of the ARR amendments. This could take place not long after the existing trial periods in other regions have completed.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
The City of Darwin has concluded a 12-month e-scooter rideshare trial. We are hoping to see them adopt the ARR amendments in the next 6-12 months.

NEW SOUTH WALES
Since Andrew Constance stepped down as Transport Minister for the state, the state government has been much more receptive to PMD use in the transport mix, with Premier Dominic Perrottet announcing 12-month e-scooter trials to begin this year. We are still awaiting official details on what this trial would like like, and what the roadmap could be like after the trial has concluded.

 

What can we do to speed up the process?

Now is the time to start writing in to your own State members of parliament, urging them to implement these amendments as soon as possible. Join our volunteers and insiders group on Facebook and share any letters you have written, as well as any responses you have received. We will also post up some templates you can use.

We will also be launching a large video and social media marketing campaign, with positive messages to promote PMD use and rally the Australian public behind the movement. Having a groundswell of public support is what will make a difference between having legalisation soon, and legalisation 2-3 years away.