Finniss MP David Basham is urging the Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Councils to reassess their footpath and bike path policies and budgets following new state regulations to legalise e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-solo-wheels.

Following recent foot surgery, Mr Basham has been using mobility scooters to get to his electorate office and to meetings and events around town. 

He says using the footpaths and bike paths has given him a different perspective into the infrastructure needs of many in the community.

“The footpaths and bike paths are well used, both by very active people and those in the community with physical limitations. On-going upgrades and maintenance of these paths are an important part of continuing to provide for the community.

“In my daily travels, I have come across several footpaths where there are missing sections of continuous path, or the path stops all together. I then have to divert onto roads, which is not ideal. In some places, there are no alternatives but to be technically jaywalking (jay-scootering) to get where I need to go.

“I have also found that pavers are not ideal for traveling on, as it’s extremely rough and bumpy. They might look aesthetically pleasing but they are not as practical a surface for riding on.”

Mr Basham says the recent announcement to allow personal mobility devices (PMDs) to share footpaths and bike paths with walkers, cyclists, joggers, those using mobility wheelchairs and the seeing impaired would make for congested and well-worn thoroughfares.

“Knowing there will be more use of the footpaths and bike paths would make it the perfect time for both councils to address current gaps in the network and review any outdated path policies. 

“It would be great to have council websites allow people to directly raise concerns about the footpath and walkway issues they face, especially in light of the new users.

“It is vital to get this right and deliver infrastructure, now and in the future, to support and encourage our active community whether they want to walk, cycle, use personal mobility devices or legally ride on e-scooters to navigate in and around the town.”

PMDs will be legal to use in South Australia from Sunday 13 July.