9 Jan 2019

Lime scooters ready to roll on Dunedin streets

12:16 pm on 9 January 2019

The Dunedin City Council has met with the Lime scooter company as it prepares to roll-out its e-scooters in the city.

Rack 'em up: Lime scooters for hire outside the TraffiNZ conference on Wellington's waterfront this week - as part of a charm offensive in the capital.

Rack 'em up: Lime scooters for hire outside the TraffiNZ conference in wellington this week - as part of a charm offensive in the capital. Photo: PHOTO / RNZ Colin Peacock

The popular electric scooters are expected to launch in Dunedin tomorrow and are also destined for Queenstown.

They are already in action in Auckland, the Hutt Valley and Christchurch, where there have been some worries about safety.

In November last year, ACC received more than 80 claims relating to e-scooter injuries in Auckland.

Shortly after launching in Upper Hutt, a man received serious head injuries after a fall.

The NZTA classifies e-scooters as "low-powered vehicles" that do not require registration or a driver licence, but riders must be aged over 18. Helmets are not compulsory although they are recommended.

A Dunedin City Council spokesperson said council staff recently met with the company and have developed an agreement on safety messaging and reporting incidents.

The spokesperson said Lime will monitor the use of its scooters, although the council will liaise with the company if any problems arise.

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