The future of shared e-scooters in Stellenbosch is under threat after the municipality issued a suspension notice to GoNow, the company behind the town’s popular scooter-sharing service.
Screenshot from GonowOnDemand.com (@gonowondemand) on Instagram
As reported by IOL, the move follows growing concerns over public safety, particularly after two minors were reportedly injured while using the scooters. Municipal officials say the incidents have reinforced their position that e-scooters are not currently permitted on public roads or pavements under existing transport regulations.
According to Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar, the municipality has instructed the company to immediately suspend operations while legal processes continue. Officials are also consulting with legal advisors and the Western Cape Mobility Department to explore whether any lawful framework exists for the service to operate in future.
The dispute highlights a growing challenge facing many towns and cities worldwide: how to regulate micro-mobility services that offer convenient alternatives to cars while maintaining public safety.
GoNow, which has operated in Stellenbosch for several years, argues that thousands of residents and students rely on the service daily. The company says more than 40,000 rides were recorded in February alone and claims over 30,000 people have used the scooters. It has also launched a public petition opposing the proposed shutdown, warning that the decision could threaten the business and limit affordable transport options in the university town.
The debate extends beyond convenience. Critics have raised concerns about reckless riding, excessive speeds in pedestrian areas and reports of underage users accessing the scooters. Earlier this year, calls were made for a formal investigation into the service following complaints from motorists, pedestrians and local businesses.
GoNow maintains that rider safety remains a priority. The company says it has implemented several measures designed to reduce risk, including geofencing technology, speed-limited zones, designated parking areas and a recently introduced identity verification system that requires users to prove they are at least 16 years old before accessing the service.
The issue has also drawn attention from Stellenbosch University. While the institution confirmed that e-scooter use is currently permitted on campus, it noted that dedicated GoNow parking bays had been installed without its approval and have since been removed.
At the heart of the dispute is a broader regulatory grey area. Industry stakeholders argue that South Africa lacks dedicated legislation governing shared e-scooter services, while municipalities continue to rely on existing road traffic regulations that were drafted long before the rise of micro-mobility.
For now, the outcome remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that the debate has moved beyond scooters alone. It raises bigger questions about how South African towns and cities will accommodate new forms of transport while balancing innovation, accessibility and public safety.
(Source: IOL)
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