NSW is looking to make e-scooters legal on its roads

The NSW government considering legalising the use of e-scooters on the state’s roads, provided riders where a helmet and are over 16.

At the moment, e-scooters can be bought locally, but can’t be ridden on NSW streets. But a plan to legalise their use forms part of a new E-micromobility Action Plan released by the state government.

According to NSW transport minister Jo Haylen, there are already around 1.35 million e-micromobility devices – electric bikes and scooters in homes across the state, and more than 1 million NSW residents have ridden an e-scooter.

“Almost 460,0000 of these are e-scooters. But only 22% of people across the state know it’s illegal to ride e-scooters on our roads and streets. It’s a strange regulatory blind spot, and it has to change,” she said.

“E-bikes and e-scooters aren’t without controversy, which is exactly why we’re taking action. It’s clear we need a regulatory framework that will allow people to make the most of this transport option, without compromising on community safety.”

The Action Plan includes 58 recommendations, including reviews on share e-bikes operations in local communities and the road rules for e-micromobility, including exploring options for the legal use of e-scooters on streets and roads; as well as more shared e-scooter trials.

The plan also called for new safety standards for the sale of lithium-ion batteries and e-micromobility devices, which NSW Fair Trading has already acted upon, with penalties of up to $825,000 for sellers who fail to meet the safety standards.

Lithium-ion batteries bursting into flames while charging on e-mobility devices have caused dozens of property fires, including a house fire in Lake Macquarie in February that killed two people. NSW Fire and Rescue had responded to more than 5o fires involving battery-powered scooters, bikes and skateboards in the first 7 months of 2024.

Meanwhile, the government is creating dedicated parking bays for shared e-bikes at nine Sydney train stations: Central, Circular Quay, Wynyard, Barangaroo Metro, Newtown, Sydenham, Marrickville and Bondi Junction.

Minister Haylen said the new parking trial is to make it easier for riders to know where to safely park their e-bike without creating clutter.

“Allowing people to ride an e-scooter to the shops or nearby train stations will take pressure off our roads and lessen competition for parking,” she said.

“It’s a big win for everyone, we just have a bit more work to do to get the balance right.”

Sydney-based lobby group the Pedestrian Council of Australia wants e-scooters banned in NSW.

While shared e-scooters have been popular in the ACT, in August, the City of Melbourne council voted narrowly in favour of killing off a 30-month trial of e-scooter rentals on the city streets.

Lime, owned by Uber, and Singapore’s Neuron had been operating there since February 2022. Private e-scooters are still allowed on the Victorian capital’s streets.

Lord mayor Nicholas Reece claimed locals were fed up with issues around their use not being addressed.

“The safety of Melburnians is being constantly jeopardised by riders doing the wrong thing – riding on footpaths, double-dinking, riding without helmets and riding under the influence,” he said.

“E-scooters are thrown across our footpaths, parks and public spaces – creating trip hazards.”

The NSW transport minister said community engagement on potential changes to rules for e-scooters is ongoing, and they’d taken on board the lessons from local shared e-scooter trials and other jurisdictions that have legalised e-scooters.

More on the potential changes to e-scooter use at transport.nsw.gov.au/e-scooter-changes.

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