Wellington City Council says it is considering possible risks before allowing Lime e-scooters to set up shop in the city.
- Four e-scooter ACC injury claims in Dunedin less than a week after Lime launch
- Revealed: The substantial number of lime scooter ACC injury claims in NZ already
- Don't make your e-scooter our safety hazard - blindness advocates
Lime is already operating in Auckland, Christchurch, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt and Dunedin, but the scooters are not yet allowed in central Wellington.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean says the potential for trouble on the capital's narrow streets is high and a report will be presented to the council within a month.
"Wellington's got a heck of a lot of steep streets," he told Newshub.
"Whether these scooters are suitable for the whole city or whether they should be kept to certain parts of the city, all those kinds of questions are going to be covered in the report."
Thousands of ACC claims have been made relating to injuries sustained from e-scooter crashes since Lime launched.
Media reports have noted dangerous behaviour on the scooters too, such as users attaching fireworks to the back or riding them down unsuitable streets.
Auckland Council had a meeting over the scooters after councillor Christine Fletcher was nearly hit by one while walking.
- Opinion: Think Limes are unsafe? Wait 'til you hear about cars
- Auckland council to seek advice on Lime Scooter safety
- What Lime scooter 'juicers' are forced to deal with
It subsequently launched a Scoot Safe programme to encourage riders to be more careful.
Mr MacLean said he's not sure yet whether the scooters are a novelty or a good transport option in Wellington.
"The question has to be: are the scooters just a novelty or will they be making a positive difference to transport options around the city?"
Whatever the case, the council has been keeping an eye out on what has happened in other cities where the scooters have been launched.
"We've all seen the dynamics that have happened in Auckland for example, so that's one of the reason why we're also comparing notes with Auckland and Christchurch."
Newshub.
