“We’ve recognised that e-scooters have a role but that also the safety framework needed to be strengthened,” she said.
She said that users also needed to take some personal responsibility to ensure they were riding correctly.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece speaks on Wednesday as an e-scooter rides past in the background.Credit: Joe Armao
“My message to e-scooter users and lovers is that if you want to see e-scooters part of our transport network, make sure that they’re used appropriately,” she said.
When asked if the state government had the power to overrule the council’s decision, Allan said she hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
“They’re a government in their own right,” she said. “I would much prefer that councils come to their own common-sense decision.”
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece defended the council’s decision at a press conference on Wednesday, claiming it would make the city safer.
“This was an opportunity to end the havoc on Melbourne’s footpaths,” he said.
Reece said that there were over 600 submissions on the council’s motion, as well as dozens of people who presented at the meeting both for and against the proposal.
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“We heard from shop traders in the city, we heard from residents, we heard from the head of the emergency department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, we heard from a blind lady. They told us that the city’s footpaths have not been safe,” he said.
As for whether the decision was fair to the companies involved, Reece said the contracts stipulated that the trial could be ended at any time with 30 days’ notice.
“The contractual arrangements are very clear,” he said.
“It’s there in black and white that the city of Melbourne can end the contract by giving 30 days’ notice, and that’s what the resolution of council last night did.”
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