An increasing number of motorised wheelchairs are being used in our communities. Retaining mobility is an integral part of living independently and motorised wheelchairs often provide those who are older and/or less mobile with an accessible, functional and cost effective way of maintaining mobility.
Motorised wheelchairs can be configured in a variety of ways, with mobility scooters or gophers often having ‘T bar’ steering and a longer wheelbase than ‘conventional’ motorised wheelchairs. The Australian Road Rules however only refer to motorised wheelchairs and for the purposes of ‘The Rules’ a mobility scooter or gopher is considered a type of motorised wheelchair.
What the Law says
Under the Australian Road Rules, a person using a motorised wheelchair is classified as a pedestrian and:
- cannot travel at a speed greater than 10 km/h on level ground
- must have an unladen weight of less than 110kg
- can only travel on the road where a footpath is not available, is being repaired or is unsafe due to damage
- must observe all the same road rules that apply to pedestrians
- must only carry one person.
A motorised wheelchair can only be used if the person has a reasonable need due to their physical condition.
A motorised wheelchair does not need to be registered and the rider does not need a licence to drive it.
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Tips for riding motorised wheel chairs on footpaths |
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| Watch out for cars turning into or reversing out of driveways |
| When travelling in congested areas, use as slow speed as possible to ensure the safety of yourself and other pedestrians |
| Do not assume that other pedestrians have heard your approach or are aware of your presence on the footpath |
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Never assume that motorists have seen you and will give way |
| Use pedestrian crossings or cross at areas of high visibility |
Links
Motorised Wheelchairs, Safety and the Law - what you need to know
