COMMENT
I'm in recovery mode.
Having broken my foot several weeks ago, I'm on doctor's orders to avoid anything that could result in sudden stopping or jarring of my busted-but-mending foot. This covers my usual mountain biking, running or even driving.
So it was with trepidation I approached a Lime e-scooter for the first time this week.
I needed to get to a meeting at Bay of Plenty Regional Council in Tauranga's CBD, about 2km from our Cameron Rd newsroom.
The e-scooter was parked on the footpath a few metres from work.
My heart wanted to feel the wind in my hair while zooming as fast as I could, but my head reminded me that I really didn't want to break my other foot.
The rental scooters were officially launched in Tauranga on October 27 as part of a year-long trial, and the company has been in talks with Rotorua Lakes Council regarding a potential trial there.
I downloaded the app, secured the laptop around my shoulder and - once I figured out that the accelerator only kicks in after you start moving - I zipped off down Cameron Rd.
Eight minutes and $4.20 later, I arrived at the council with no need to find a park. The nature of rental e-scooters is to effectively leave them wherever once you're done. Someone else will pick it up for a ride later. Easy.
I deliberately took it slow and easy on my first trip, thinking of the potential disapproval from my doctor should anything go awry. However, I still enjoyed spurts at above 20km/h.
My ride attracted about as many scowls as smiles from passers-by, so I'm guessing the feeling about the e-scooter trial is mixed.
Fair enough.
In February, NZME reported e-scooter injuries cost taxpayers more than $6.2m since their launch in October 2018.
I can see why. The temptation to go fast is strong. These e-scooters are predominantly ridden on footpaths shared with pedestrians and driveways. One moment's inattention could so easily result in calamity. Judging by the figures, it already has many times.
But I don't feel the e-scooters are to blame - unless we're talking about Lime's braking bug issue from 2019, which was fixed with a firmware update.
We all have a responsibility when operating a machine – be it an e-scooter, bike, car, truck or even a forklift. The onus is on us. If speed is involved, even more so.
At $1 to unlock and 38 cents each minute after, Lime e-scooters aren't the cheapest transport. However, they are convenient - and so much fun.
In a world where we desperately need suitable alternative transport options, I believe rental e-scooters are an answer for a central-city commute.
They are a quick, easy mode of transport to zip from one place to another without adding to congestion, contributing to carbon emissions, or working up a sweat.
I'll definitely be using them again and hope they become a permanent fixture - both in Tauranga and my hometown of Rotorua.