E-scooters would be legally allowed on shared paths and roads across NSW, if they are ridden by a person older than 16, under a new plan proposed by the government.
The powered scooters are currently banned from being ridden on public roads and paths, except in places where trials are running.
The proposal would include a speed limit of 10 to 20 km on shared paths and a 20 km speed limit on roads where speed limits are up to 50 km.
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It would bring the state in line with most other parts of Australia, Transport NSW says.
The plans are part of the NSW Government’s response to recommendations from a Parliamentary inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related options, which said current rules were “outdated and ineffective.”
However, the plan is to allow the scooters to go up to 20km/hour, 5km faster than the report recommended.
Minister for Transport John Graham said the state “needs to get the balance right.”
“There’s still a lot of work to do but this provides a clear path forward when it comes to properly integrating and regulating this relatively new form of transport,” he said.
“We recognise the community’s concerns, particularly around device modification, fire risk, discarded shared e-bikes and poor rider behaviour – which is why we’re taking action.”
Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the current rules are “confusing.”
“We’ve seen some dangerous behaviour, so we’re urging people to exercise caution,” she said.
New ebike proposals for NSW
When it comes to ebikes, Transport for NSW says work is going on to “reduce clutter on streets” amid calls for action.
The inquiry proposed dedicated parking areas for them.
Waverley Council, which covers the Eastern Suburbs including Bondi and Bondi Junction, last week started impounding hundreds of the bikes.
In NSW, permitted electric bikes have an electric motor and battery that assists a rider with pedalling up to 25km/h.
The inquiry recommended allowing ebikes on footpaths at up to 15km/hour,.
NSW Transport bosses say they will review the definition of an e-bike and the “potential for footpath riding.”
Currently e-bikes only supposed to be ridden by under-16s on footpaths, and are governed by the same rules as regular bikes.
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Fat bikes were listed in the inquiry as a particular issue for NSW residents.
The inquiry recommended mandatory education programs for food delivery riders and shared bike users.
But the state government only proposes voluntary tests for riders.
The Minns government also aims to set up safety standards to reduce the likelihood of battery fires.
There were 275 lithium battery fires in the state last year.
The state government says there are about 1.35 million e-micromobility devices such as bikes and scooters in NSW homes
The group which uses them most are aged 18 and 29, it says.
Victoria banned shared e-scooters from Melbourne CBD after multiple accidents.
However other suburbs in the city have added new parking sports for those as well as e-bikes.
The report is due to be tabled in Parliament today.
