Published on Thursday, 21 March 2024 at 10:40:49 AM
Following a 12 month trial of hireable e-scooters in the City, the Busselton Council has now made the decision to extend the program until November 2024, subject to community concerns being addressed. An extensive community survey attracting 1,226 responses was conducted throughout December and January, with 62.4% of local residents indicating they did not support the continuation of supplier Neuron’s hireable e-scooter offering due to concerns relating to parking, helmet litter, abandoned e-scooters, rider behaviour and speed on dual use paths.
Councillors were keen to take community feedback on board and acknowledged the concerns raised by the community when making their decision.
Mayor Phill Cronin said, “The trial was a really good opportunity to see how hireable e-scooters can work within our unique coastal city, but it was clear that many people we surveyed felt there were significant issues with their operation. The supplier, Neuron, offered to make some improvements to mitigate community concerns reported through the survey and this information assisted Council to decide to extend the trial until November, subject to improvements.”
Mayor Cronin also stated that the City will be monitoring these changes closely over the next few months. “Council acknowledges the benefits that hireable e-scooters can bring to the community, but this will require better management to prevent the issues that the community has experienced during the original 12 month trial”, said Mayor Cronin.
Data provided by Neuron in February 2024 shows that from commencement of the trial in December 2022 until February 2024, 133,004 trips were taken on Neuron’s e-scooters covering 430,010km. Of the people hiring them, 35,269 were unique hirers, 57% were local to Busselton and Dunsborough, 30% were visitors from Perth and 13% from other locations.
Improvements will include designated parking areas that do not block thoroughfares and are not a visual nuisance, and slower speed restrictions for single use, narrow paths adjacent to the coast.
While the Neuron hireable e-scooter trial has been extended until November 2024, it should be noted that Council does not control privately owned e-scooters and that these riders are subject to the various road rules already in place.
Objectives outlined in this statement are aligned with the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (2021 - 2031) Key Themes Lifestyle: A place that is relaxed, safe and friendly with services and facilities that support our lifestyle.
Ends. Media enquiries can be directed to pr@busselton.wa.gov.au
Photo supplied for general use: E-scooter Trial in Busselton:
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