New South Wales is set to legalize electric scooters for commuters in a bid to reduce road congestion.
The ‘Electric Micromobility Action Plan’, which was published ahead of a parliamentary inquiry into electric scooters and bicycles, aims to legalize and regulate these devices.
Currently, buying an electric scooter in a store is legal, but using it on the streets and highways of New South Wales is illegal.
Despite current laws banning electric scooters from New South Wales roads, there are an estimated 459,000 private electric scooters in the state.
Meanwhile, shared electric scooters are also prohibited. However, the state has allowed trials of the devices in select council areas, including Albury, Kogarah, Forster-Tuncurry and Wollongong.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen is pushing a bold plan that would make electric bikes and electric scooters, including ride-share scooters, legal for commuters traveling to and from train and tube stations.
Under the proposed plan, electric scooter users must be 16 years old or older, are legally required to wear a helmet and must ride on designated bike lanes or shared areas.
He also suggested investing in electric scooter infrastructure by creating shared paths and parking spaces for commuters and highlighted the need for police to enforce the law.
Transport NSW is pushing to legalize and regulate scooters and e-bikes, including ride-share scooters, in a bid to reduce road congestion.
Transport for NSW said the plan “recognizes the potential for electric micromobility to be a safe, sustainable and accessible transport option for the people of New South Wales”.
The department added that electric scooters would also help connect and move people between public transportation and would be a “viable and efficient option for last-mile freight transportation.”
Haylen explained that the main motivation is to regulate the use of private electric scooters, but added that the government would also work with municipalities that want shared electric scooters.
He added that legalizing and regulating electric scooters would be a “win for everyone” as it would ease pressure on the state’s congested roads.
“Allowing people to ride electric scooters to shops or nearby train stations will relieve pressure on our roads and reduce competition for parking,” Ms Haylen told the Daily Telegraph.
“We just have a little more work to do to get the balance right.”
Haylen said scooters and e-bikes needed new regulations as the devices are not “free from controversy”, and the report highlights “safety concerns”.
Concerns included speeding, trail riding, riding an electric scooter while intoxicated, and riding near and around vulnerable pedestrians.
Police received 124 reports of electric scooter accidents in the three years between 2020 and 2023, resulting in three deaths and 116 injuries, 40 of which were serious.
Pedestrian Council of Australia chief executive Harold Scruby called the adoption of private scooters and electric bikes “pure anarchy”.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen is behind the move to legalize electric scooters, saying it would be a “big win for everyone”.
Giving his submission to the parliamentary inquiry into electric scooters and bikes, the pedestrian advocate claimed these devices would turn pavements into a “hostile” environment.
“Showing such complete disregard for pedestrians and turning footpaths into hostile and potentially lethal environments is beyond belief,” Mr Scruby said in his presentation.
“If not adequately addressed, the proliferation of electronic vehicles could lead to a safety crisis similar to a public health pandemic.”
The move to legalize electric scooters in New South Wales comes after Melbourne City Council banned them in August.
Melbourne Mayor Nick Reece tabled an amended motion at a Future Melbourne committee meeting, calling for electric scooter suppliers’ contracts including Lime and Neuron to be cancelled.
The termination of contracts did not affect private electric scooters, which are still allowed in the CBD and neighboring Carlton and Southbank.
