The letter that I sent to them before hand was:
Town of Gawler
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors
In Australia the “Territory” government of the ACT leads the way in reducing toxic emissions from vehicles.
The South Australian Minister for Transport Corey Wingard is proceeding more slowly
On the 2nd December 2020 the Minister responded to me with a letter (copy annexed) in which he said:
E-scooters (and other personal mobility devices such as segway-like devices and e-skateboards) can now be used in the ACT. They provide a healthy and affordable travel choice. However, they also raise considerations for public safety and the ACT Government is managing their use to ensure the continued safety and amenity of Canberra’s roads, road related areas (such as paths and car parks) and open spaces.
Just as if you were driving a car or riding a motorcycle, road rules apply to riding on the road or road related area so be aware and take responsibility!
https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/roads-and-paths/road-safety/e-scooters
Queensland too permits these modern transport electric personal transports. A person who uses solar panels to re-charge their batteries can arguably commute up to around 30km distance without emissions
Gawler and Adelaide could be saved from the emissions of many motor vehicles if this modern transport was permitted and regulated.
The ACT has heavily regulated their use. Providing for on the spot fines for things like using a mobile phone or not wearing a helmet or speeding or endangering pedestrians and so on. Full details attached, these are the headings.
Minister Wingard’s letter to me indicates that South Australia is waiting a national approach, a national leadership, and that is something that may not happen because it requires unanimity.
Any National Transport Commission (NTC) to introduce rules such as those in the ACT into the National Traffic Code need a unanimous vote. The NSW Minister said last month that he is not in the mood to even consider electric scooter trials
The NTC preliminary reports have an exhaustive list of options and they cover every possible outcome from continuing complete illegality to complete legality with very little regulation, and every sort of regulation in between. Details are readily available on their web page.
The ACT has chosen a moderate middle path, substantial legality and substantial regulation. It has been pursued as part of the green leadership plan.
Industry leaders are being lobbied by the not for profit group “Electric Riders Australia”
I am currently seeking a meeting with Minister Wingard with their spokesperson who provides this further information.
Background
In November 2020, the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) approved the National Transport Commission (NTC) to begin drafting legislative amendments to incorporate the usage of PMDs into model Australian Road Rules (ARRs). These draft amendments which will be presented to the ITMM in May 2021 for a decision. Once implemented into the model ARRs, each state government can ratify these amendments into their own respective state laws, thereby legalising the usage of PMDs in each state.
Support
PMDs offer three main benefits to the Australian community. These are improved health outcomes, environmental benefits and reduced traffic congestion. PMDs provide an active transport alternative that results in increased physical activity, mental health benefits, reduces traffic on the roads and reduces reliance on the packed public transport systems. For many Australians who are not in the physical state to don lycra and go cycling, electric PMDs provide an alternative transition for a healthier active lifestyle and last mile solution.
Our Request
The State Minister for Transport, the Hon. <Insert name> MP, will be attending the ITMM in May 2021 to discuss the draft legislative amendments to the ARRs for the inclusion of PMDs. We are seeking your support to make representations to the Hon. <insert name> MP for a commitment to accept the draft legislative amendments to the ARRs for the legalisation of PMDs in this upcoming ITMM and to subsequently ratify these changes in state legislation.
This one page policy letter aims to summarise the benefits and next steps for the PMD industry.
If you have any questions or would like us to elaborate on the benefits of e-scooters, electric skateboards or electric unicycles, do not hesitate to be in contact with us. On behalf of the industry and our members, thank you for your engagement and interest in this matter."
I would like, I request that the Town of Gawler consider writing to the Minister for South Australia for this State to support a vote in the NTC that central pathway too.
Possible draft letter from Town of Gawler to Minister Wingard.
Minister, you will either be attending or be represented at the the ITMM in May 2021 to discuss the draft legislative amendments to the ARRs for the inclusion of PMDs.
We are seeking your support to accept the draft legislative amendments to the ARRs for the legalisation of PMDs in this upcoming ITMM and to subsequently ratify these changes in state legislation.
The meeting of the ITMM is on ……. So we will need to be quick.
I respectfully offer my services pro-bono to work with Council should you decide to progress this matter
Some change’s are for change’s sake. This will actually achieve something.
It is the green thing to do. It will reduce emissions. It will “catch up” our law with current technology.
John Bolton
1 Warren Street,
Gawler East.
Attachments:
There were three attachments. A copy of the ACT PMD web page. Penalties, and additional regulations for PMD road users.
The video of my presentation to the Council that evening is at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXVYejH7-9A
On Thursday 25th I attended a the SA Minister for Transport Office and had a half hour meeting with one of his senior staff. I took my Evolve Carbon – didn’t ride it there and demonstrated the integrity of the vehicle and its brakes. As a result of that meeting I wrote today (Sunday 28th} the following letter to the Minister:
Minister for Transport
Cory Wingard. John Bolton
1 Warren Street,
Gawler East, 5118
[email protected]
RE: Electric Personal Mobility devices: E-scooters etc. (PMD’s)
Dear Sir,
I refer to prior correspondence on this matter and my meeting at your office on Thursday 25th March 2021 with your staff member Richard Fowler.
The meeting with Mr.Fowler was fruitful although, of course, he is not in a position to make any promises or commitments.
I write to offer my assistance, pro-bono in this matter.
Pertinent background is that I am a practising lawyer and have previously been a police officer in SA including police patrols and more specialised motorcycle riding traffic police enforcement.
Background
In November 2020, the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) approved the National Transport Commission (NTC) to begin drafting legislative amendments to incorporate the usage of PMDs into model Australian Road Rules (ARRs). These draft amendments which will be presented to the ITMM in May 2021 for a decision. Once implemented into the model ARRs, each state government can ratify these amendments into their own respective state laws, thereby legalising the usage of PMDs in each state.
I understand the extreme busyness of a local member and Minister. While I was employed with the CSOL I had the opportunity to be in the House advising Ministers introducing legislation and I have advised independent Federal Ministers during Senate Estimates.
Should you be so minded to permit me to assist I would accept a confidentiality agreement and offer to assist, either or both, the Transport Department persons or your office staff in reading and assessing the National Transport Commissions draft legislative amendments regarding PMDs.
I do not know how many days or weeks before hand you will be given their draft but presumably they will be operating at short notice to advise you with respect to the ITMM currently set for 28th May 2021.
Yours Sincerely
John Bolton
On Friday 26th March I was lucky enough to attend at the State of South Australia Press Club dinner with over Three Hundred attendees plus all the media of the State. And it was being broadcast live over every media channels streaming service in the State. For the first time the Press were excluded from asking questions. I jumped up as soon as question time was opened and due to distance only made it to the micro-phone as number 2. As it turned out only three questions were asked.
Here is a video link to my question. It is obvious that even though I specifically included the words “Segway” and “electric Scooter” neither the Premier or would be Premier had any idea what they were being asked about.
Unfortunately I think that is also true for all the media and members of the Audience.
The link to my question and their answers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0HoW0RJdpY
SUMMARY
No one has any idea what we are talking about. And if they do. Then they do not care.
Saturday 27th March
The South Australian es8 group were due to meet for a quiet discreet ride. I travelled an hour by car to get there to find on arrival the location had been moved. I had not received any of the texts as I had been driving. So I had a nice ride by myself along the south bank of the Torrens River Linear Park to the Seaside
Including the understanding that trailblazing riders in States where laws have not caught up with the technology are going to take some hits. Everyone knows it is ridiculous to have lost your ordinary car drivers licence for 3 months for riding a skateboard on the South Bank in Melbourne.
The trail has to be blazed and we need to go harder into publicity mode.
John Bolton. 67 year old skateboard riding old criminal ?
Not in Queensland or ACT and this is the same Country.