A bizarre incident in Canberra has drawn attention after a driver filmed two young individuals seemingly “driving” a couch along a dark, rain-soaked road. This curious scene was captured on video and shared on a local Canberra Facebook group, revealing the riders steering two escooters while sitting on the two-seater couch as rain drizzled down.
As cars passed in the opposite direction, ACT Police confirmed they received a report around 9pm regarding the youths on a sofa being towed by the scooters on Maribyrnong Avenue. This road has a speed limit of 60km/h, raising safety concerns about the peculiar mode of transport. An ACT Police spokesperson expressed their worry about e-scooter riders engaging in reckless behaviour that puts themselves and others at risk, highlighting that e-scooter users are vulnerable and face a higher chance of serious injury or death in accidents.
The video footage shows the couch being towed at a speed of approximately 28km/h, further compounding the risk of the activity. Alarmingly, the riders were not wearing helmets, nor did the couch have any reflectors or lights to ensure visibility. The footage prompted mixed reactions from the local community, with some finding humour in the situation, while others expressed concerns for the safety of the riders and other road users.
In Canberra, escooters are legally permitted for those over the age of 12, but only on footpaths, bike paths, and residential streets without footpaths. Regulations stipulate that riders must wear helmets, and additional safety equipment like lights and reflectors is mandatory. Importantly, escooter passengers are not allowed, making this couch ride particularly problematic.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have more information concerning the couch-riding youths to contact Crime Stoppers via their official website. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations while enjoying the newly popular mode of transport.