By Stephen Coulter & Krystyna Weston, Founders Zipidi Micromobility & Convenors of the Asia Pacific Micromobility Alliance
In a welcome move, Australia’s Federal Government has killed electric scooters as a vehicle import category.
eScooters will now be classified as part of the broader PMD category.
The change was made on 11 January by the Assistant Minister making an amendment to the Australian Motor Vehicle Standards Determination.
Australian PMDs must be speed limited to 25km/h when propelled by motor but have no power restriction.
This is a great outcome as more powerful speed restricted PMDs will support heavier riders, riders on hills and riders with cargo. Hopefully, this will result in more people abandoning cars for short journeys and choosing their favourite fun PMD.
While Australia's Federal Government is progressive, most State Governments are laggards. It is still illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter on public roads and paths, except in Queensland and the ACT — 78% of Australians are precluded from using ePMDs by their State governments.
The amendment also made some small changes to eBike definitions. The full changes can be read here, https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021L00060
The new PMD specifications are
personal mobility device means a device that:
(a) is designed to carry one person only; and
(b) has one or more wheels; and
(c) is propelled by an electric motor; and
(d) has an effective stopping system, including one or more of the following:
(i) brakes;
(ii) gears;
(iii) motor control; and
(e) is not capable of exceeding 25 km/h on level ground when propelled by motor; and
(f) has a footprint of no more than 1250 mm by 700 mm; and
(g) is not more than 1350 mm in height; and
(h) has an unladen mass of 60 kg or less; and
(i) is not equipped with:
(i) any object or fitting not technically essential to the device that protrudes from any part of the device in a manner that likely increases the risk of bodily injury to any person; or
(ii) any object or fitting that, because it is pointed or has a sharp edge, likely increases the risk of bodily injury to any person.
