E-Scooters have come one step closer to being legal in NSW after the release of a new E-Micromobility Action Plan by the NSW government.
This new plan recognises the fact that e-scooters, while popular and being sold in large numbers across the state, still can’t be ridden legally on NSW streets.
With this plan it may become possible to ride e-scooters on roads and shared bike lanes.
The NSW Government has put together this Action Plan which will highlight the benefits of increased e-micromobility use which will potentially reduce the need to drive short trips and subsequently open our roads and parking areas.
According to the government’s latest data it shows that:
– 1 million NSW residents have ridden an e-scooter
– There are around 570,000 e-bikes and 459,000 e-scooters in homes across NSW
– 91 per cent of people who use e-scooters in Australia find it a convenient way to travel
– 34 per cent of e-micromobility trips are replacing car trips in Greater Sydney, 45 per cent in Regional NSW.
“There are already 1.35 million e-micromobility devices in homes across NSW. Almost 460,0000 of these are e-scooters,” says Jo Haylen, NSW Minister for Transport.
“But only 22 per cent 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.
“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.
“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. It’s a big win for everyone, we just have a bit more work to do to get the balance right.”
The new E-Micromobility Action Plan includes 58 activities including reviewing how we use and share e-bikes in local communities, reviewing the road rules in relation to e-scooters which include exploring the possibility for legal use of e-scooters on streets and roads and delivering more shared e-scooter trials.
Another goal with the Action Plan is to deliver new safety standards for lithium ion batteries and e-micromobility products.
The NSW Fair Trading says retailers of e-scooters and e-bikes will face penalties of up to $825,000 if they don’t meet strict new device safety standards.
The NSW Government’s plan has also launched a pilot programme to create marked parking bays for shared e-bikes in train stations around Sydney including Central, Circular Quay, Wynyard, Barangaroo Metro, Newtown, Sydenham, Marrickville and Bondi Junction.
The new parking trial is designed to make it easier for riders to know where they can and can’t safely park their bikes without cluttering sidewalks and car parks.
These new draft e-scooter rules also state that riders need to wear an approved bicycle helmet and must be 16 years or older.