Margaret River police note crashes on the rise amid concern about e-scooters and electric bikes

Local police say they will increase enforcement measures as Margaret River’s growing population triggers more vehicle crashes.

The shire has experienced a vehicle accident of one type or another every four days since December and police were preparing for an influx in electric vehicles and scooters.

The rise of more e-scooters and electric bikes was forecast by Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillors late last year amid a contentious 12-month trial of a new ride-share scheme for personal electric vehicles similar to that in Bunbury, and the Perth beachside suburb of Scarborough.

Margaret River policer Sgt Simone Taplin said officers were concerned about the spike in crashes.

“The traffic around town is still bumper-to-bumper at the moment and the road rage is starting to get out of hand,” Sgt Taplin said.

“Wear a helmet if you’re riding. Relax if you are driving. We just want the community to stay safe.”

Enforcement measures would also be in top gear for those who had taken up e-scooters and electric bikes during the summer.

“It’s a big issue. We’ve got more cars, we’ve got more bikes, and we have more e-scooters,” she said.

“We are urging everyone to consider their own safety as well as that of others.

“We would rather riders stay alive by police having stopped them rather than having to pick them up off the pavement.”

The concerns were underscored by a weekend incident when a girl on a skateboard collided with the back of a car and was flown by helicopter for medical treatment.

In December, the Times reported the Shire council approving a trial that would see about 200 e-scooters and bikes spread across the district, with Cr David Binks voting against the proposal because of safety concerns shared by other elected members.

“It’s just crazy,” Cr Binks said.

“I really strongly oppose this until such a time as the operators are able to put technology in place . . . so they (scooters) are forced to slow down and it’s not just left up to the responsibility of the rider.”

Cr Binks detailed his own experiences with e-scooter users travelling at dangerous high speeds.

The personal vehicles have come in for greater scrutiny in recent months amid a rise of incidents in the metropolitan area.

Cr Kylie Kennaugh also said the items would be a “hot ticket” as Christmas gifts and the Shire had to be proactive.

Councillors included a clause in the approval that would halt the proposed trial in the event of a serious injury.