Ario Encourages Government To Embrace Safer Streets And Smarter E-scooters

Ario, a world leader in e-scooter innovation and design, welcomes the announcement that the Government is progressing a comprehensive reform of New Zealand’s land transport rules.

“We’re long-time advocates for rules that keep pace with the technology they’re meant to regulate,” says Adam Rossetto, Ario’s General Manager for New Zealand and Australia.

“This is a critical opportunity for the Government to make sure New Zealand has an efficient regulatory system that prioritises public safety and embraces innovation, especially in emerging transport sectors like ours."

Ario offers the world’s safest, most innovative, and technologically advanced e-scooter. Currently operating in Christchurch, they have ambitious plans to bring its game-changing e-scooter to other cities across the country so communities can experience safer rides and benefit from its full suite of features such as pedestrian detection, helmet unlock-to-ride technology, and its remote parking technology.

“We’re particularly excited about the changes that will allow e-scooters in cycle lanes. We wrote to the Minister of Transport about this last year, and are thrilled that it’s now on the horizon,” says Mr Rosetto.

Ario’s remote parking system uses onboard cameras and sensors to safely reposition improperly parked scooters. This technology achieved an unparalleled 99.3% parking compliance rate (the highest in NZ) and resolved non-compliant parking incidents in an average of just 8 minutes, outperforming the industry standard of 90 minutes. Before its deactivation, 99% of all parking issues were proactively resolved by Ario’s system, not by public complaints.

Ario is hopeful the reforms will also improve central decision-making and help ensure New Zealand’s micromobility sector does not remain stagnant.

“We’re optimistic that the updated rules will allow the reactivation of our remote re-parking technology. It’s disappointing that the status quo prevents New Zealanders from benefiting from the safety and accessibility improvements that should be already available to them.”

Ario looks forward to engaging with the upcoming consultations, and to making the case for improved regulations that can keep up with the industry’s progress without putting the brakes on technological development.

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