CCS Disability Action joins calls for reinstatement of Ario’s Remote Reparking Function

Carelessly parked e-scooters are a considerable issue for Kiwis with mobility impairments. While the only long-term solution we support for e-scooters is the provision of adequate infrastructure – in the form of micromobility lanes and parking spaces – we were excited by the potential for Ario's remote parking features to make a difference for disabled people navigating the urban environment.

You can learn more about the Ario three-wheeled e-scooter in this video here: Watch: New e-scooter operator Ario has a riderless twist

If one of Ario’s three-wheeled e-scooters is left in an inappropriate place, a remote operator can take remote control of the e-scooter and, using cameras and sensors on the scooter, move it a few metres to a safe parking spot.

But in August of this year, the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) decided that this function did not meet the current regulations. This is because, while being piloted remotely, they felt the engine did not meet the criteria of an 'auxiliary engine'.

Not meeting this technicality was enough for NZTA to order the remote parking feature be disabled.

While they have complied with the directive, Ario New Zealand general manager Adam Muirson was "surprised by NZTA’s interpretation".

"Ario’s e-scooters have been designed to comply with all relevant regulations, with an OHS safety management system designed by a HASANZ safety professional to be compliant with ISO 45001," Muirson said.

"The remote re-parking feature enhances public safety, reduces clutter and supports a more efficient use of public space."

Today, CCS Disability Action has joined the call for NZTA to reinstate Ario's remote reparking function. You can read the letter below.

Open Letter of Support
Reinstatement of Ario’s Remote Reparking Function

Kia ora

We call on you to urgently reconsider your NZTA officials’ decision to pause the use of the remote reparking feature of Ario E-Scooters.

If all shared e-scooter operators provided the same level of accountability, conservative estimates by Ario show blocked accessways could decrease by 91% nationally. Please consider the immediate and potential impact of withdrawing this function from the people of New Zealand.

We are advocates for all areas of public life to be accessible to everyone, regardless of access needs and are made up of representatives from New Zealand’s leading access stakeholders including but not limited to; CCS Disability Action, Disability Leadership Canterbury, and Access for All Otago.

We recognise shared e-scooter schemes contribute to decreasing carbon emissions and congestion associated with our urban transport system. However, it is important to make clear that our broader position is that footpaths should prioritise the use and safety of pedestrians, especially those most vulnerable.

The only long-term solution we support for e-scooters is the provision of adequate infrastructure - a full network of micromobility lanes and parking spaces provided in urban centres. In the short term, technology like Ario’s remote reparking function can bridge the gap and reduce the negative impact of e-scooters on the communities we represent.

We support remote piloting as the most effective solution to keep streets unimpeded by non-compliantly parked shared scooters. Without this function, accessibility for all people is significantly reduced. Non-compliant and poorly parked shared scooters are an issue globally. Ario has taken a proactive approach to address this problem, and we would expect support from NZTA for this innovative initiative.

Ario has proven the safety and effectiveness of remote reparking through its Auckland trial. Their e-scooters have been designed to adhere to all relevant regulations, with an OHS safety management system designed by a HASANZ safety professional to comply with ISO 45001. The remote reparking feature has generated a significantly higher rate of parking compliance, 99.3% compared to the Auckland City KPI of 92%, and a faster average parking correction time, just eight minutes compared to the manual average of 90 minutes.

We seek urgent reconsideration of your NZTA officials’ decision of 20 August 2024 that the remote parking function of Ario E-Scooters is ‘in conflict’ with the definition of "wheeled recreational device" in rule 1.6 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004.

In addition, or alternatively, we seek your support for an urgent amendment to the definition of "wheeled recreational device" in rule 1.6 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 so that a wheeled recreational device still meets the requirements of that definition while being safely piloted remotely.

This must be addressed urgently, so people with access needs and disabilities have a better opportunity to thrive. We believe the parking compliance KPIs of current schemes do not adequately consider the impact or experience of all pedestrians and road users.

We would like to see all shared e-scooter providers demonstrate a higher level of thought towards the safety of the wider community.

Ngā mihi,

CCS Disability Action
Disability Leadership Canterbury
Access for All Otago