A 10 kilometre per hour speed limit and helmets could soon be a reality for electric scooter riders on busy footpaths in city centres.
Hundreds of Lime e-scooters have hit the streets in Auckland and Christchurch over the past month, with the California-based company planning to also expand to Wellington before Christmas.
Controversially, people don't legally have to wear helmets on the black and green scooters, which can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometres per hour and be used on footpaths.
The Seven Sharp host takes to the streets of Auckland to make sure footpaths are safe.
Eighty five injury-related claims have been lodged with ACC by Auckland users since mid October.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff told media today he had seen far too many people riding them recklessly.
He said he planned to make a submission to Government this week for a 10 km/h speed limit to be brought in.
"I've seen people race down Albert St... go through an intersection on the road while the diagonal crossing is going.. and weave between people doing about 20 km/h," he said.
"Frankly that's stupid. And I'd want to see the police, if they can apprehend someone like that, have the power to do so."
Mr Goff today launched a new safety awareness campaign called Scoot Safe, encouraging people to ride responsibly.
Hot pink posters and signs have been put up in bus stops and on footpaths city-wide.
He said the campaign which cost $10,000, was not being funded by Lime.
The numbers of e-scooters on the streets is set to rocket later this month, with Lime's black and yellow main rival, OnzO, rolling out 1000 of its own e-scooters on November 20 and rideshare company Wave rolling out another 500 ten days later.
By Carla Penman
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