Tasmania makes moves to approve e-scooter and hoverboard use

A government bill was debated on Tuesday which would allow for the use of personal mobility devices like e-scooters, e-skateboards and self-balancing hoverboards in public.

At the moment, e-scooters are for sale in the state, but not able to be legally used on public infrastructure.

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If approved by the Legislative Council, the devices would be able to be used on roads that have speed limits of 50 km/h.

There would be a speed limit of 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on shared paths and cycleways.

Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said PMDs provided an alternative transport option that was cost-effective, low-pollution, and could be part of the solution to traffic congestion.

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He said the legislative amendments would allow people who were at least 16 year olds to use PMDs if they were fitted with a helmet and did not use a mobile phone while on the device.

Mr Ferguson said a person could not ride the device under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Labor leader Rebecca White said there had been incidences on the mainland where there had been a significant amount of collisions and hospitalisations caused by e-scooter use.

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Mr Ferguson said expert advice stated collisions were usually minor in nature and rarely fatal.

He said the perception of danger from the use of e-scooters outweighed the actual risk.

Mr Ferguson said the government would review the additional regulations in 12 months of the enactment of the legislation to identify any emerging safety implications.

Australian infrastructure and transport ministers in May endorsed amendments to Australian road rules to recognise the legal use of personal mobility devices.

A state government spokesperson said in identifying the regulatory amendments to implement a framework for permitted PMD use in Tasmania, State Growth undertook targeted consultation with key stakeholders such as the City of Hobart and City of Launceston councils.

"These targeted consultations informed some of the finer details of the framework to make it fit for purpose for Tasmania," they said.

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