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Kim Rowe was travelling home on his e-scooter after his night shift — a trip he made almost every night — when he collided with a cyclist on a blind bend on the corner of Nicholson and Yale roads.
Paramedics arrived on the scene about 2.30am today and took the 46-year-old to Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Mr Rowe had been wearing a helmet but the impact was so severe he succumbed to his critical injuries in hospital.
The 52-year-old cyclist received minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Mr Rowe’s fiancee told 9News he was a great father who loved his kids more than life.
“He was and always will be loved,” Tara McNally said.
His death isn’t the only e-scooter tragedy in Western Australia this year; a 13-year-old boy was killed in February during a joyride.
“Unfortunately, tragedy is often not very far away. In fact, it can be just around the next corner,” Australian Road Safety Foundation CEO Russell White said.
Both deaths came just months after the state introduced new road rules for electric-powered devices such as e-scooters.
Under the legislation, only riders over the age of 16 can travel at night. They must be wearing a helmet and remain under 10km/h on footpaths.
But there is now a push to tighten the regulations.
“You cannot implement such policy with fanfare without ensuring there are important safety measures put in place,” WA Liberal Party deputy leader Libby Mettam said.
Source: 9News
