New personal transport devices: safety and regulations

Many new recreational transport devices do not fit well with Australian road rules. At the time of purchase it is unclear whether they can or can’t be used in public spaces, and whether personal safety equipment is required by law. This is a challenge for regulators because new transport devices could one-day provide an alternative to short car trips, using existing paths and roadways. There are already inconsistencies within the road rules for particular devices, such as compulsory helmets for bicycle, scooter and horse riders, but not skateboard, rollerblade or roller-skate riders. How new recreational devices are classified determines what existing rules apply to them. RACV undertook a project to review the rules and regulations of a range of recreational transport devices so that it could provide advice to its 2.1 million members about how to safely and legally use such devices. The project included commissioning ARRB Group to prepare a research report, a review of other research literature and the development of information for members. It was found that there are national inconsistencies with the rules that apply to the devices, and that many of the new motorised recreational devices cannot legally be used in public spaces, including roads, paths and parks in Victoria.

• Record URL:
  http://arrbknowledge.com
• Authors:
  • Smith, R
  • Jones, D
  • Makwasha, T
  • Pratt, K
• Conference:
  • ARRB Conference, 27th, 2016, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Publication Date: 2016-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: Linking people, places and opportunities: 27th ARRB Conference, 16-18 November 2016, Melbourne, Victoria

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Injuries; Nonmotorized transportation; Pedestrians; Prevention; Recreation; Safety; Traffic regulations; Walkways
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (road users)
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Footpath; Injury prevention; Non motorized transport; Pedestrian; Recreation; Safety; Traffic regulations
• ITRD Terms: 9132: Non motorised
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01622955
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 24 2017 12:03PM