Well done WeRide Australia on producing such a comprehensive report and to the many who gave a đź‘Ťto the report.
To me, the report highlights two things, which many who advocate active travel instead of car use seem to overlook, and it also misses out on mentioning the important the value of walking! Ben Rossiter of Victoria Walks might comment here!
- The use of a bicycle by 6.5 million adults who cycle, created over 58,000 jobs (FTE) and made a $16.9 billion total contribution to the economy; avoided 2.2 million kg air pollutants; and added $1.9 billion direct output to cycle tourism nationally.
In other words a very positive outcome for the community. - Whilst 3.6 million adults used an e-scooter and this made a $728 million total contribution, this was mainly NOT a contribution to community benefit but to the profits of e-scooter companies.
Any observer of e-scooter use in Melbourne could not fail to notice that whilst some trips are for car-replacement commuter purposes, a very high proportion are pleasure riders wanting a new and exciting way to have some fun.
Unlike use of a bicycle or walking, use of an e-scooter does nothing towards health benefits except a negative one from increased use of casualty resources.
And since most e-scooter journeys are NOT car replacement ones, there is no environmental benefit.
The negative effects of e-scooter use on footpaths and shared cycle routes as far the effects on pedestrians, disabled and cyclists need to be emphasised too.
I acknowledge that e-scooter journeys for genuine commuting can be beneficial for the community overall.
But unless more comprehensive studies of e-scooter use that do not simply look at number of journeys are conducted, I will remain totally skeptical about the supposed societal benefits, and cynical about the e-scooter companies profit-chasing motives.
Very unfortunately it is similar to the sales pitch of the the e-cigarette and vape companies a few years ago. Something good for their profit was sold to us all as a positive community benefit. The authorities and community at large bought their sales pitch.
And look where we are now!
Whitehorse Active Transport Action Group Inc. 
The first scooter I was allowed to try belonged to a coffee shop owner who used it to get to PT faster after long hours at the cafe. Two days ago a young lad pulled one onto the train at Box Hill. He said he rides it mostly to get from Ashburton to Box Hill.
While I share the notion that many scooters are used for thrill seeking, this novelty will wear off. Nothing is thrilling three weeks in a row. My guess is, when used in the long run, scooters will contribute to reducing car traffic. We’ll have to wait until the dust settles for a final verdict.
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