Could this new e-scooter be the answer for Melbourne? 

A safer e-scooter has recently been developed by Singapore-based company Ario, and its executives believe they have found a “solution” that addresses the City of Melbourne’s concerns.

In August last year, the council prematurely terminated its contracts with e-scooter share hire providers months before the trial was meant to end, citing safety risks and misuse of the e-scooterst as the rationale behind the decision.

However, Ario is currently in discussions with Victorian councils and the state government and is confident that it has developed a “smarter” and “safer” e-scooter model for the state.

Head of strategic communications at Ario, Trent Williams, told Southbank News that the company had the capability to roll out what it believed would be the first “community-compliant” e-scooter program.

“We were created to solve the problems that have plagued the e-scooter industry for a while,” he said.

According to Mr Williams, what makes Ario scooters safer is their three-wheeled design and the use of AI and innovative technologies to ensure they are used appropriately.

Key features include remote re-parking technology, adaptive speed control, AI-powered camera systems that detect and deter unsafe riding behaviours, and helmet locks to ensure helmets are always available.

Additionally, Mr Williams believes the scooters will play an important role in the city’s transport mix, helping to alleviate pressure on the public transport system and supporting the local economy by making it easier for people to travel into the city.

Following Ario’s successful trial in Townsville, Queensland, and its launch in Christchurch, New Zealand, Mr Williams is hopeful that the scooters may one day find a home in Melbourne.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece told Southbank News that ending the previous trial was the right decision for the City of Melbourne due to the high number of injuries caused.

Riders were doing the wrong thing, and e-scooters littered across footpaths were creating a safety hazard, unlike e-scooters, bicycles have not led to the same safety and amenity concerns.

It is understood that Ario and the City of Melbourne are not yet in discussions about a renewed trial.

However, the council confirmed that it continued to engage with shared scheme operators following the conclusion of the trial, and any decision to enter into a future agreement would be subject to council approval.

President of the Southbank Residents Association (SRA), Tony Penna, said that he would welcome a new trial if the scooters were safer. 

While he acknowledged that last year’s trial had its flaws, he believes that e-scooters are an “important” part of Southbank’s transport mix, given so many residents do not have cars. 

“If [Ario] thinks that they’re filling that gap, the SRA would certainly be interested in exploring this with them further,” he said. •