Watch: E-scooter rider's near miss with Auckland rubbish truck
An e-scooter commuter has come away unscathed after narrowly missing getting knocked in the head by a mechanical arm of a rubbish truck.
The video clip recorded by Auckland Council shows a man on an electric scooter zipping down the pathway while a waste management truck was emptying kerb-side bins in Kelston last week.
The rider appeared not to have noticed the truck was in operation as he continued to come down the pathway, right into the path of the truck’s hydraulic arm as it lifted a bin.
In an attempt to avoid a clonk to the head, the commuter ducked at the last minute and fell over on to the concrete.
The man stood back up again and continued his journey, with Auckland Council having confirmed to the Herald he was unharmed.
Senior waste operations safety specialist Lyndon Collie said there have been more than 100 near misses since January last year.
“We’re seeing too many people trying to squeeze past rubbish trucks, especially on scooters and bikes. When that arm comes down, it’s fast, heavy and dangerous. If you see a truck operating, stay back, give it space, and never pass between the truck and the kerb. Your safety depends on it.
“A few seconds of patience can prevent a serious injury.”
Auckland Council captioned the video asking people to give waste trucks space to do their job, and said safety depended on it.
“This near miss is a reminder to keep your distance when a waste truck is collecting waste. The truck’s lifting arm can move quickly and unexpectedly, so never ride, walk or drive too close while it’s operating.”
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