Despite a spate of recent incidents, e-scooters look set to stay in Auckland.
Auckland Council announced on Thursday that it intends to continue licensing share e-scooters, though new conditions will be introduced with a focus on safety.
Licensing would continue on a six-month basis, the council's director of regulatory services Craig Hobbs said.
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"As a mode of micro-mobility, e-scooters offer a viable transport solution for many Aucklanders moving around our city."
"They encourage people to connect with public transport and offer an alternative to cars for short trips," he said.
"That said, the benefits of micro-mobility options do need to be balanced with the safety of everyone on our footpaths and this has been paramount to our decision making around e-scooters."
Hobbs said the council had "little influence" on rules that e-scooter riders must adhere to, acknowledging that regulation "ultimately sits with central Government".
The new conditions e-scooter operators must meet in order to get a licence would focus on safety and public nuisance concerns.
They would also limit companies to having a fleet of no more than 3200 e-scooters across the city, Hobbs said.
The use of e-scooters have become increasingly controversial in past months.
In September, a 23-year-old man died after falling from a Lime scooter, while in June another person died after suffering a medical event while using a scooter.
They were also temporarily removed from Auckland's streets in February due to safety concerns.
Council said an evaluative report formalising Thursday's decision would be finalised for publication by December.
Newshub.
