A parliamentary inquiry into Western Australia's e-scooter and e-bike rules has released 33 recommendations aimed at improving safety for riders and pedestrians. The recommendations include harsher penalties for offences, a crackdown on modifications, and better infrastructure to separate e-rideables from pedestrians and cars.
The WA government has announced that from term one, 2026, children under 16 will be banned from riding and storing e-rideables at all public schools. Education Minister Sabine Winton said the ban supports school principals and aims to clarify that it is illegal for under-16s to ride e-rideables.
The inquiry was sparked by the death of Perth father Thanh Phan, who was struck and killed by a scooter in the Perth CBD in May, believed to be the first pedestrian death from an e-scooter in WA. So far this year, there have been seven e-scooter related deaths in the state, more than the previous three years combined.
The committee called for anti-tampering mechanisms in design standards to prevent speed limiter removal, and for penalties for retailers who assist in modifications. It also recommended creating a new category for e-rideables capable of up to 45 km/h, requiring licensing, annual registration, and possibly insurance.
Other recommendations include declaring 'dismount zones' where e-rideables cannot be used, improving data collection on injuries, and educational initiatives to address misunderstandings about legal use. Committee chair Peter Rundle noted that 12 rider fatalities have occurred since 2022, some involving children, and described these deaths as preventable.
