Five years ago New Zealand Transport Agency (or NZTA, as it was then known) declared e-scooters exempt from the definition of a 'motor vehicle' under the Land Transport Act. This notice was due to expire on 30 September, and after seeking public consultation Waka Kotahi NZTA (as it is now known) has today renewed the declaration for a further 5 years.

It found that e-scooters make a useful contribution, user satisfaction is high, and they have emissions reductions benefits. Of course, we all knew this already.

The NZ Herald reports the decision in more detail in a section of this article (alas, note the clickbait headline that does not advise the reader of the actual outcome), excerpted here:

Waka Kotahi explains decision

“Our overall conclusion is that e-scooters have made, and continue to make, a useful contribution to the land transport system. Their use is increasing across New Zealand, they are increasingly used for transport rather than just for recreation, user satisfaction is generally high, and they have emissions reductions benefits,” Waka Kotahi national manager of regulatory system design Chris Rodley said.

“Our review found that while the greatest risk is to e-scooter riders themselves, some pedestrians also feel anxious or stressed about sharing the footpaths e-scooters,” Rodley said.

“While there are mechanisms in place to ensure the safe use of e-scooters, such as geo-fenced no-go and low-speed zones for rental e-scooters, Waka Kotahi believes that there is scope for further improvements, such as lower speed limits in pedestrian areas and more use of speed limit signage.

“Over the next five years we will continue to explore these and other measures to promote the safe and responsible use of e-scooters, local authorities, share-scheme e-scooter operators, the Ministry of Transport, Police and others.”

In related news, the High Court has rejected a bid for a Judicial Review into the original declaration made five years ago. Last year, pedestrian advocacy group Living Streets Aotearoa filed legal proceedings, arguing Waka Kotahi and Auckland Council failed to properly consult and breached national road laws when they granted e-scooters a five-year exemption from being classed as motor vehicles. The group argued in part that the declaration did not uphold New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.