Hobart’s e-scooter hire program is finally going, and it should have happened years ago. From the beginning, ideology led and the practical concerns were sidelined.
Early on, the warnings were clear with safety risks, constant injuries, and conflicts with pedestrians raised repeatedly.
None of this is new. But instead of listening, the program rolled on. Now it’s suddenly “not tenable” for the exact reasons raised from the start.
Hobart even had to correct its own advice after telling people scooters could use bike lanes when they legally couldn’t.
We’ve seen this before. Victoria Street followed the same pattern of pushing it through, ignoring concerns, then walking it back. Same story, different project.
We need to do better. This isn’t about scooters vs e-bikes. It’s about how decisions are made. If ideology keeps leading, Hobart will keep repeating the cycle: Introduce. Ignore. Reverse.
Edwin Johnstone
Chair, Business Greater Hobart