Death of Perth pedestrian in e-scooter crash sparks calls for overhaul of rules

Pressure is mounting for a major overhaul of Western Australia's e-rideable laws following the death of a pedestrian in Perth's CBD on the weekend after he was hit by an e-scooter.

It is alleged British tourist Alicia Kemp was three times over the legal blood alcohol limit when her rented e-scooter ploughed into a 51-year-old man at the weekend.


Thahn Phan suffered critical injuries and later died in hospital.

Ms Kemp has been charged with causing death while driving dangerously under the influence of alcohol.

The incident has sparked debate about e-scooter regulations in WA, with Mr Phan's family calling for a review of safety measures for hired e-rideables.


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The use of e-scooters in Perth is under growing scrutiny amid fears for the safety of pedestrians. (ABC News: Glyn Jones)

Penalties a 'joke'​

Pedestrian Council of Australia chief executive Harold Scruby said pedestrians had been left out of the conversation of e-scooter safety.

"The whole thing is upside down," he told ABC Radio Perth.

"Number one, they've put the pedestrians last. Number two, they've invented some penalties which are a joke. Number three, there's absolutely no enforcement."

Mr Scruby said introducing a ban on e-scooters on footpaths was one way to prevent further harm.

"Very few other states or territories allow [e-scooters] on a footpath or even a shared path," he said.

"In the old days … [footpaths] were there to protect people from vehicles. Now we're inviting vehicles onto them, and they're high-speed vehicles."

He said another solution could be to implement bans in the Perth city centre and other areas of high pedestrian traffic.

'Need to do more': deputy premier​

WA's Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said it was clear not everyone was following the rules.

"We have very strict regulations about the speed of e-scooters … and power of e-scooters, but its obvious we need to do more on compliance," she said.


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Thanh Phan died in hospital after being hit by an e-scooter in Perth's CBD on the weekend. (Supplied)


But Ms Saffioti said of equal concern was the modification of private e-scooters.

"We have rules and regulations in relation to using e-scooters, but it's clear that some are modified and that they're roaming the streets," she said.

"I'll talk to the minister for road safety [about] how we can do a joint compliance blitz, in particular in relation to the modification, because that seems to be the real issue."

Lack of compliance​

It comes after WA's Road Safety Commission last month released a review of the state's e-rideable road rules.

It found that crash rates were relatively low, but many pedestrians felt unsafe using footpaths after experiencing near-misses.

The report stated there was a "concerning" lack of compliance with e-rideable road rules, noting incidents of speeding, riding without a helmet and failing to give way to pedestrians.

It recommended increased enforcement to encourage compliance on the roads, and a review of penalties for e-rideable offences, which were found to be weak in comparison to other states and territories.


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Rita Saffioti says it is clear not everyone is following the rules when using e-scooters. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)


According to data from Royal Perth Hospital, between 2017 and 2022, 74 people either suffered a major head injury resulting from an e-rideable that requiring hospitalisation for more than 24 hours or died.

In WA, e-scooters are permitted to reach up to 25 kilometres per hour on shared paths, bicycle paths and roads with a speed limit of 50 kph or less, but only 10 kph on footpaths.

They are banned from pedestrian malls, on roads with a speed limit above 50 kph or roads with a median strip, and any road or carriageway with a 'no bicycles' sign.

Only one rider can use the scooter at a time, and they must be over the age of 16.

Varied fines​

There is little consistency in e-scooter laws and penalties across Australia.

In Queensland, the ACT and Tasmania, riders can be fined up to $150 if they are caught without a helmet, but in WA the penalty is just $50.

Queensland also slashed the maximum speed limit for e-scooters on shared paths from 25 kph to 12 kph in late 2022 following concerns about pedestrian safety.

Overseas, Korea, Spain and Sweden have banned e-rideables from footpaths completely.

Only hire scheme e-rideables are permitted in the UK, while in Paris it is the opposite, with only private devices allowed.


WA's Police Minister has urged people to use e-scooters like they would a vehicle on the road.

Reece Whitby said e-scooters were not toys and people should remember they can be dangerous.

"There's got to be personal responsibility, you can't be an idiot, you cannot be drunk, you cannot be reckless, you cannot speed, you can't have a pillion passenger, you cannot not wear a helmet," he told ABC Radio Perth.

He confirmed the state government would review the regulations around hiring e-scooters, particularly in entertainment precincts like Northbridge, Hilarys, Scarborough and Mandurah.

"I want to consult with local government, and the operators about geo-fencing these devices so they can't be used in certain areas, at certain times, at certain speeds," he said.

"We'll also look at restrictions on the type of devices being imported into the country, which is a discussion with the Commonwealth and other states."

He also said there'd look into what more could be done to enforce compliance.

By Phoebe Pin
 
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How many Deaths and serious injury is it going to take for the Federal and State Governments to get some real laws for these scooters and bikes, most don't have front lights or stop lights or revision mirrors geez I was driving my car up one of our Streets in Ulladulla and a guy on a scooter was weaving all over the road oblivious to he cars behind him, I went wide and it shocked him into riding straight, he hadn't removed his speed inhibitor as he was just doing a leisurely ride and speed which I commend but on roads and footpaths riders must always be aware of their surroundings........geez even walking I am forever checking and listening ..........think it's time they were reeled in and given strict laws that apply to them.......if they share the road they share the rules.
 
these scooters are very dangerous to the rider and pedestrians they should not not be on footpaths at all but in bike lanes but more needs to done about multiple riders you often see 2 on the scooter a lately 3 no helmets no concern for traffic or people if they are going to be an acceptable mode of transport there needs to be a big crackdown on the rules and some pretty hefty fines for abuse of these and parents that allow kids to ride should be fined as well
 
these scooters are very dangerous to the rider and pedestrians they should not not be on footpaths at all but in bike lanes but more needs to done about multiple riders you often see 2 on the scooter a lately 3 no helmets no concern for traffic or people if they are going to be an acceptable mode of transport there needs to be a big crackdown on the rules and some pretty hefty fines for abuse of these and parents that allow kids to ride should be fined as well
Fined and educated. Maybe even introduced to victims.
 
Just ban the stupid things. Because some stupid people don't follow the rules. And innocent people are being killed and injured through out Australia.
Just walk from A to B or use public transport. Like the good old days. Some people have to push the boundaries. Drinking, no helmet driving between pedestrians. Just ban them.
Happy Friday to all.
 
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Just ban the stupid things. Because some stupid people don't follow the rules. And innocent people are being killed and injured through out Australia.
Just walk from A to B or use public transport. Like the good old days. Some people have to push the boundaries. Drinking, no helmet driving between pedestrians. Just ban them.
Happy Friday to all.
Not only these stupid scooters also skate boards as they are as big a problem.
 
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Roads and footpaths. Roads are for registered vehicles or pedal power. Footpaths are for feet.🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️
Electric scooters and bikes should be banned off footpaths. Anything electric should be registered and allocated to appropriate space. Including people speeding through shopping centers on mobility scooters. Those items should be speed limited
 
These bikes are not dangerous…it’s the IDIOTS WHO RIDE THEM that are to blame.

Bikes go in the direction to which the rider steers.

But, I do agree they don’t belong on the footpaths.

Also, you should have a license to ride them !!!
 
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These bikes are not dangerous…it’s the IDIOTS WHO RIDE THEM that are to blame.

Bikes go in the direction to which the rider steers.

But, I do agree they don’t belong on the footpaths.

Also, you should have a license to ride them !!!
That's the same argument "that guns don't kill people....people with guns do...."

From the Charlton Heston/NRA school of twisted logic.
 
How many Deaths and serious injury is it going to take for the Federal and State Governments to get some real laws for these scooters and bikes, most don't have front lights or stop lights or revision mirrors geez I was driving my car up one of our Streets in Ulladulla and a guy on a scooter was weaving all over the road oblivious to he cars behind him, I went wide and it shocked him into riding straight, he hadn't removed his speed inhibitor as he was just doing a leisurely ride and speed which I commend but on roads and footpaths riders must always be aware of their surroundings........geez even walking I am forever checking and listening ..........think it's time they were reeled in and given strict laws that apply to them.......if they share the road they share the rules.
WHY DO WE HAVE THEM....are we supporting laziness ? what's wrong with walking, young people can walk, its part of growing up
 
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These bikes are not dangerous…it’s the IDIOTS WHO RIDE THEM that are to blame.

Bikes go in the direction to which the rider steers.

But, I do agree they don’t belong on the footpaths.

Also, you should have a license to ride them !!!
Thats what they say about guns:rolleyes:
 

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