E-scooter riders may soon be legally cruising around South Australia thanks to legislation being introduced to parliament which will pave the way for the vehicles to be used on public roads and paths.

The Statutes Amendment (Personal Mobility Devices) Bill 2024 will allow e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, including e-skateboards, to be ridden on roads where the default speed limit is a maximum of 50km/h and in other public areas.

It is proposed that a speed limit of 25km/h will apply on roads, bike lanes and separated paths and a lower speed limit of no more than 15km/h on footpaths and shared paths with pedestrians.

Other regulations proposed by the State Government, which will be consulted on before implementation, include the wearing of a helmet at all times, that personal mobility devices cannot be used under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that riders must be aged 16 and older to ride unsupervised.

On passage of the Bill, there will be no requirement to register a personal mobility device or for the rider to hold a licence.

The new legislation follows extensive consultation last year with private e-scooter users and the broader community where 87 per cent of respondents to a yourSAy survey supported the use of personal mobility devices on public roads and paths.

The survey also showed that 76 per cent of respondents supported riders not being required to hold a licence while 68 per cent didn’t see a need for devices to be registered or insured.

Opinions were mixed when it came to maximum speed limits, with some preferring a 15km/h maximum on pedestrian infrastructure like footpaths while others were in favour of 25km/h. Generally, respondents were in favour of a 25km/h speed limit when in bike lanes and on roads, where permitted.

The State Government will consider current research and consultation with industry experts and stakeholders when finalising the regulations.

The use of privately owned personal mobility devices will remain prohibited on public roads and paths in South Australia until the Bill has successfully passed parliament and the framework implemented.

Currently, e-scooters are only permitted for use under trial conditions, with trials operating within Adelaide’s CBD and North Adelaide, the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, and along the coastal park path in the City of Charles Sturt in partnerships between local councils and commercial e-scooter fleet operators.