For several weeks, Melbourne resident Matthew Zammit has been on alert, concerned about the imminent arrival of share hire e-scooters in his neighbourhood. The Darebin City Council has committed $50,000 from its upcoming budget for a trial of these e-scooters in Northcote, Fairfield, and Alphington by mid-year. This decision startled locals, especially as the nearby City of Melbourne had just prohibited hire e-scooters due to safety issues.
Safety apprehensions led City of Melbourne officials to terminate contracts with e-scooter companies early, yet Darebin’s former mayor, Susanne Newton, expressed confidence in the safety measures being implemented by e-scooter providers. However, Zammit and other residents remain sceptical, believing that e-scooter accidents are likely, given the local road conditions.
Zammit has personal reasons for his concerns; a motorcycle accident in 2010 left him with severe disabilities and trauma. He worries that introducing e-scooters will lead to reckless riding and potential injuries, especially as statistics show that e-scooter accidents have already resulted in hundreds of injuries in Melbourne and Queensland over recent years.
Darebin locals have voiced their anxieties about safety, fearing that inexperienced riders may contribute to a significant rise in accidents. Zammit fears that the introduction of these e-scooters will exacerbate an already dangerous situation. He queries the positive trade-off of shared e-scooter use against the potential for life-altering injuries.
Despite the local council’s efforts to alleviate safety concerns with technology intended to manage parking and speed restrictions, Zammit highlights the financial implications of such a trial. With the council reportedly struggling to manage a tight budget, some residents question why funds are diverted from essential infrastructure improvements, such as repairing potholes, towards this trial.
The anticipated start of the trial has been shifted to late August or early September, with the council promising to review its impact in April 2026. Meanwhile, Zammit has launched a petition to halt the trial, having gained significant local support. He believes that addressing potential hazards posed by e-scooters should take precedence over pursuing such initiatives, emphasising that the repercussions of accidents could lead to irreversible changes in individuals’ lives.