Discussion eThings - Mobility miracles or mobile death traps

Ok. I am going to start off this thread to capture discussion on the growing number of devices that fall into the categories of eBikes, eScooters, eSkate boards, etc.

Now I am well aware that there is growing opinion that these devices should be allowable as legal transportation devices around the world.

Sales growth is exponential with numbers and model varieties going nuts.

The fact is that the shear numbers and rapid increase in capability (speed/range) of these devices is currently well beyond the regulatory controls that we have.

You can purchase an thing called an Wolf King GT eScooter at multiple stores throughout Australia that I personally can only view as a death trap. Here is a vehicle that is powered by dual electric motors (peak power of 8.4kW), has a top speed in excess of 100 km/h, a range of of 100km+ and rides on tiny 11" wheels. What is more it is not legal to ride in any state within Australia (other than on private property).
https://www.electrickicks.com.au/products/kaabo-wolf-king-gt-electric-scooter.

My daughter hired an eScooter while in Adelaide a little while ago. Her experience was not atypical. She got knocked off the thing by a car while crossing the road (on the footpath) and spent a night in the Adelaide hospital with a serious head injury. She puts her head laceration down to damage caused by the inadequate helmet that came with the scooter. It should be noted here that riding of eScooters in Adelaide is illegal currently. So I am not sure how you can actually hire one? Maybe someone else has better knowledge on this.

There is a crying need to bring regulatory control of these devices into line with other transport regulations.

Currently there is no uniform regulation across Australia to encompass the safe design, sale and use of these devices.

The number of hospital admissions and deaths (riders and pedestrians) as a result of the use of these devices is rising as rapidly as the growth in sales.

There needs to be sensible consideration given to controlling the sale and use of these devices.

My believe is that there needs to design regulations that these devices need to meet and that the more powerful ones should be registered in some way.

Peter.

 

In Australia, we have regulations in place for many years to define what constitutes a motor vehicle.

We except that motor vehicles can be dangerous, particularly in unskilled hands.
An electric motor is still a motor, so by definition one mounted on a vehicle should fit the same rules.

Now there is an argument that would support an update to our vehicle/road regulations to bring them up to date and remove the vague bits around eThings.

Just because it is popular to use eThings doesn't in its own right mean that we should just ignore regulations.
There needs to be a push to update the regulations that make the ownership and use of eThings safe for all. Well, at least minimise the risk of injury/death anyway.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to have a requirement to register little 50cc scooters (some barely managing 5kW) and yet public opinion, from those lesser informed, seems to want to have the right to fly around on these little death traps (unlicensed and unregistered) because it is trendy.

 

It looks like we already have some local Australian companies jumping into the market.
Local design???
I question the level of engineering (particularly regarding safety) of these things.
https://www.mearth.com.au/pages/mearth-gts-evo-series-electric-scooter-mearthscooters

 

Unfortunately, we need to sort out the regulations/law first along with policing of such.
Once we get this sorted, everything else should fall into place.

Here is my take on some of the regulatory framework that appears to be being adopted in a number of Australian states, that I believe is likely to be adopted nationally at some point. Seems like a sensible approach at this point.

- less than 25kg
- less than 1250mm long, 700mm wide and 1350mm high
- must not be capable of travelling faster than 25km/h on level ground under its own power
- no sharp protrusions
- be fitted with an effective stopping system
- restricted to 25km/h speed limit on roadways, bicycle paths and shared trails
- restricted to 10km/h speed limit on footpaths
- riders must be over 16 years of age
- a helmet must be worn (approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet)
- mobile phones, etc must not be used
- passengers (including animals) should not be carried
- not to be used on roadways where the speed limit exceeds 50 km/h
- not to be used on roads with a dividing lane/median strip
- must be fitted with lights and reflectors for night/hazardous weather
- have warning device fitted
- not to be used on a one way carriageway with more than one marked lane
- restrict travel speed at marked pedestrian crossing to 10km/h or less
- use hand signals or turn signal lights, where fitted
- keep at least 1 hand on the handlebars at all times
- keep left
- maintain a minimum separation distance to vehicles in front of at least 2m
- drug and alcohol limits apply when riding an eScooter

I also believe that there needs to be a set of basic Design Rules/Standards that eScooters, etc should comply with before being made available for sale in Australia.

Believe it or not, there is actually a fire safety standard for eScooters (ANSI/CAN/UL 2272). But no standard to control the safety of the product as a whole.

Peter.

 

@Frankster the hidden information in article you found is that the rider was unlicensed and drug/alcohol affected.
Unfortunately, I think eScooters are seen as quick fix for those that should otherwise not be legally riding/driving.
Not an uncommon tale.

@ruckusman as for cops dishing out fines, do you see a better way to enforce the law. Regardless of what we may think about the state of the laws, the cops are just doing their job and trying to enforce them. Its a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. We do not live in a society without rules. Theoretically, the rules are intended to protect the interests of the majority. We need to provide clarity so that all can understand the rules. For those that still choose not to accept the rules, we have officers of the law to assist with their understanding and enforcement.