A new 12-month e-scooter trial announced by the Victorian Government has been welcomed by Yarra City Council as an opportunity to examine how e-scooters can fit into the transport system.
The trial will be run across the cities of Yarra, Melbourne, Port Phillip and Ballarat and is an important opportunity to test this new and emerging mode of transport.
Yarra Mayor, Cr Gabrielle de Vietri, said Council looked forward to working with the Department of Transport and other participating councils to deliver this trial.
“This is a great opportunity to test and understand how e-scooters can fit into our transport system and contribute to improved active and sustainable transport outcomes across Yarra,” Mayor de Vietri said.
“We’re particularly interested in how e-scooters can support connectivity to existing transport systems such as our train and tram network and be used for short, local trips in and around our municipality.
“Sustainable micro-mobility like e-scooters will help drive down car dependency while improving the health and wellbeing of people in Yarra.
“As our population grows it will help us reduce carbon emissions and achieve our ambitious zero carbon targets. And it will help improve the liveability of our streets for everyone.”
As part of the trial, e-scooters will be limited to low-speed roads (up to and including 50km/h), bicycle lanes, bicycle paths, separated and shared paths. E-scooters will not be permitted on footpaths and high-speed roads.
Further information about the trial, including how residents and local transport users can access e-scooters, will be made available on Yarra’s website shortly.
