In June the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House) commissioned an Inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options.
The Illawarra Ramblers being very apolitical steer away from governance issues but the Terms of Reference of this Inquiry relating not only to what and where we ride, but also to where we walk, could not be ignored.
1298 responses were received to the online survey type option. 467 of these identified as e-mobility users and 353 as pedestrians. A further 248 full submissions came from individuals plus 66 from organisations, all by August 18. Those organisations represented State government departments, Local government, Legal, Medical, Insurance, Strata, Transport, Infrastructure, Safety, Business, and Users – those most affected, such as ourselves. Not represented were NSW Police. From 1612 responses in total, 41 groups were invited to attend hearings at State Parliament House, again including ourselves. Our invitation probably emanated from the Wollongong e-scooter trial, our submission highlighting that we are a club of walkers, even more so than cyclists, our age group, our use of public infrastructure, and that we are across economic and health benefits enjoyed across the community from our very existence.
The cross-party committee of 7 longer term parliamentary members included 2 with an Illawarra connection. 1 who lives here and another who is Shadow Minister for the Illawarra.
What happened is very public. On the State Parliament Website, virtually all submissions are published in full, (ranging from 1 line to 178 pages), hearing proceedings were webcast live, Hansard transcripts are there to view, via YouTube access to the proceedings is available, and there is an online summary report of the 1298 initial survey responses.
The hearing process involved each group having an opportunity to emphasize in 3 minutes the key points submitted, followed by 40 minutes questioning. The Illawarra Ramblers were represented by Thirroul residents John Groom and Sam Garrett-Jones.
The primary focus became more on e-scooters as the day prior to the Inquiry hearings, the NSW Transport Minister announced the government’s proposed e-scooter legalisation. Questions to us revolved around the local e-scooter trial, its observed degree of success, a need for a limit on scooter numbers, the parking of them and effects of the now probable e-scooter greater use on cycleways, shared paths and footpaths. Another focus was on e-bike power, battery and speed issues again relating to their use on shared paths, footpaths and roads and the governance responsibility by State and Local entities.
Like many other groups we spoke of lack of clarity at Federal and State levels, very evident in difference between states in respect to legality and safety of many devices, the degree of compliance certification required and where and by whom they might be used. Brief excerpts of what we said was picked up from monitoring of the live webcast, and broadcast by the ABC as Illawarra local news.
Possible outcomes from this Inquiry may include a push to lower speed limits to 30 km/h for all vehicles on non-arterial NSW roads, more clarity on legality in the e-mobile sector, enforcement, greater awareness of battery use and after use, and growing infrastructure spend to encourage the use of e-mobility, particularly for last mile type travel. The local examples might well include greater storage for private e-vehicles at all railway stations plus safer pathways to those stations.
We look forward to reporting on the Inquiry outcome further down the track. At least for now we can put on our boots and get back on our bikes.