The legality of e-scooters has been questioned following an incident in which runner Zandre Engelbrecht was hit by one in Clifton, Cape Town. l SUPPLIED.
A report tabled to Subcouncil 16 recommended that the use of e-scooters and electric bicycles be permitted on the Sea Point Promenade subject to approval by the Director of City Parks, and subject to review should there be an increase in the occurrence of crashes with pedestrians and other vulnerable users.
Last week, Weekend Argus reported that Zandre Engelbrecht, a runner who hoped to participate in the Cape Town Marathon, was hit by an e-scooter which resulted in injuries, bruises and an admission to hospital. Questions have now arisen about the legality of e-scooters.
A source who worked closely on the public participation process informed Weekend Argus that e-scooters can easily be restricted to ensure that they do not exceed a certain speed limit or breach a certain mapped area.
“The incident of the runner who was hit happened on Victoria Road, but e-scooters shouldn’t be going all the way out there,” said the source.
“The device has a geolocation functionality that allows it to stop working if it goes beyond a certain point.
“E-scooter technology allows owners to pre-set speed limits, which would force rental users of the vehicle to adhere to a safe and responsible speed limit.
“But of course, limiting the speed limit is not a good selling point,” said the source.
Furthermore, the report recommended that the parks department undertake an awareness campaign to inform the public that the Sea Point Promenade is a shared space and that it must be used in a responsible manner.
Additionally, it was recommended that new regulatory signage informing the general public of the permitted uses and restrictions on the Sea Point Promenade be installed.
Residents have confirmed that none of these recommendations have been implemented.
Attempts to obtain a comment from the City on the progress of implementing these recommendations and about peak season safety were unsuccessful.
The City was only able to confirm that discussions were ongoing and that role players would be meeting next week, following which more details on the way forward may be available.
According to the City’s Public Parks by-law of 2010, any vehicle may be admitted to an area such as the Sea Point Promenade with the written permission of the Director of City Parks, who may also determine the speed limit applicable in a public park, which shall be made known by a notice.
Currently, no written permission has been granted for the use of e-scooters and electric bicycles on the Promenade. The most recent approval by the Director of City Parks with regard to the Promenade was in July 2013 for the use of bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades.
The City is also without a permanent Director of City Parks.
Sandra Dickson, of Stop CoCT, called for the implementation of a dedicated transport route for the likes of e-scooters and electric bicycles on the Atlantic Seaboard.
“Most other leading cities in the world have dedicated lanes for motorised vehicles that pose a danger to pedestrians.” said Dickson.
“It is therefore a pity that the City did not go the same route as other cities and assign a dedicated lane for motorised vehicles so that both these and pedestrians can be safe while using the promenade.”