Personal mobility devices

Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) are legal to use in South Australia.

What is a PMD?

A legal PMD is a device which:

• has at least one wheel
• is designed for one person
• is propelled by an electric motor
• is 45kg or less
• can stop using brakes, gears or motor control
• has no sharp protrusions
• meets electrical safety standards
• is no more than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
• must have a bell, horn or similar warning device in working order.

Any device that does not meet these requirements of a PMD is not permitted to be ridden on the road network.

Examples of devices that could be PMDs include:

• e-scooters
• e-skateboards
• e-solo-wheels.

A PMD fitted with a seat is legal to ride provided the PMD meets the requirements specified above.

The following vehicles or devices are not PMDs:

• bicycles
• motorised wheelchairs
• vehicles with pedals
• motorised mobility devices, such as mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs
• wheeled recreational devices without a motor, such as skateboards, roller skates and foot scooters.
• any electric powered device designed for one person that does not fit within the requirements listed above.

Rules that apply to

PMD riders must:

• be aged 16 years or over
• wear a helmet
• use flashing or steady front and rear lights, if riding at night or in low light
• park responsibly in a location that does not disrupt pedestrians or pose a safety hazard
• keep to approved areas if using a hired e-scooter
• not riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• not carry passengers
• not hold a mobile phone or rest it on any part of the rider’s body when riding
• adhere to speed limits.

Penalties will apply for anyone caught speeding or riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including potential loss of demerit points.

Where can I ride a PMD and speed limits?

PMD riders must:

• be aged 16 years or over
• wear a helmet
• use flashing or steady front and rear lights if riding at night or in low light
• park responsibly in a location that does not disrupt pedestrians or pose a safety hazard
• keep to approved areas if using a hired e-scooter.

You can legally ride a PMD:

• on footpaths, shared paths, beaches and road crossings - maximum speed of 10km/h.
• on separated footpaths, bicycle paths or bicycle lanes (physically separated from other traffic) - maximum speed of 25km/h.
• on bike lanes (where the maximum road speed limit is no greater than 50km/h) - maximum speed of 25km/h.
• to the left on any road where there is no bike lane (where the maximum speed limit is no greater than 50km/h) - maximum speed of 25km/h.

You must ride your PMD in the bicycle lane if you are on a road that has a bicycle lane (for roads where the maximum speed limit is not greater than 50km/h).

E-scooters will be permitted on roads where the maximum speed limit is 60km/h but must ride in the bicycle lane. Riders must stick to the maximum speed limit of 25km/h. If a bicycle lane on a 60km/h road is only operational during specific times, e-scooters are only permitted on them during those times. In other cases, they must switch to the footpath.

PMDs (that are not e-scooters) must only travel on roads where the speed limit is 50km/h or less, except:

• when something is blocking the footpath, bike path, or shared path next to the road, and the rider needs to use the road for less than 50 metres to get around it
• to cross the road.

For bike lanes and roads where the speed limit is less than 25km/h, you must follow the speed limit of the bike lane or road.

When you ride a PMD, you must always:

• keep left and give way to pedestrians
• adhere to the speed limit
• keep a safe distance when travelling near pedestrians so you can avoid a collision
• keep left of oncoming bicycles, PMDs and other vehicles.

PMD use will be monitored for 12 months to ensure devices are being used safely on shared spaces like footpaths, shared paths and roads.

Riding and mobile phones

To keep yourself and other road users safe, your full attention is needed when riding a PMD.

Holding a mobile phone in your hand or resting it on any part of your body when riding is illegal. The phone does not need to be turned on for it to be an offence. You can keep your phone in a pocket of your clothing or in a pouch you are wearing but you must not be able to see the screen.

Mounting your phone to the handlebars is allowed if you are using the phone for GPS navigation or as a speedometer, so long as you do not touch the phone while moving/riding.

You can use a mobile phone in your hand when stationary on paths or nature strips.

Helmets

When you ride a PMD, you must wear an approved bicycle helmet or an approved motorbike helmet. The helmet should be properly adjusted and securely fastened.

Public transport

In the short term, PMDs won’t be permitted on Adelaide Metro trains, trams and buses.

This is because of safety issues in other Australian states where battery-powered devices have caught fire or exploded on trains.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport is currently working on the best way to keep both riders and other passengers safe on the public transport network.

Licensing and Registration

PMD riders do not require a driver’s licence to ride these devices. PMDs are not required to be registered. Compulsory third party insurance will not apply to PMDs.

Insurance

If, while using your PMD, you injure a third party or damage property you could be liable. You may wish to consider insurance. Check your insurance policy or contact your insurer for further information around the use of your PMD.

Fleet-operated PMDs

Starting 13 July, e-scooter hire companies can keep running and could expand to more places in South Australia.

If an e-scooter meets the rules for a PMD, the company won’t need special permission from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Companies will need permission from local councils if they want to park or store e-scooters on footpaths.

Councils can also decide if they want to use geofencing (technology that controls where e-scooters can go) and can make rules about where e-scooters can be stored. Councils can also decide if companies need insurance when they give out business permits.

E-scooters that don’t meet the PMD rules are not allowed on roads or footpaths.

If a company wants to try out a new kind of e-scooter that doesn’t meet the rules, they can apply to the Minister for approval.

As a first step, operators should contact the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and the relevant local council.