E-scooters
E-scooters
The NSW Government is working closely with NSW councils to enable trials of shared e-scooters. This is in response to the growing popularity of e-scooters and the need to safely manage their use.
The trials are collecting information on demand for shared e-scooters, safety, and community sentiment. This will help inform the future of e-scooters in NSW.
Personal e-scooters remain illegal on NSW roads and road-related areas, including footpaths, shared paths and bicycle lanes.
You can only use these on private property.
Find out more about the rules for children in our fact sheet E-scooters: Advice for families (PDF, 1.46 MB).
Whether you're riding a shared-e-scooter, a bike, driving or walking, it's important to look out for each other during the trials.
Keeping the community and riders safe
Transport has set parameters to ensure the trials are delivered safely.
At trial sites, shared e-scooters will be permitted on:
- roads (including bicycle lanes) with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or below
- shared paths (which can be identified by signs and/or pavement markings showing a pedestrian and a bicycle)
- bicycle paths.
View our summary of key trial parameters.
Rules for riding a shared e-scooter
- You must be at least 16 years of age to ride a shared e-scooter.
- You can ride a shared e-scooter hired from the selected operator on designated shared paths, bike lanes and paths and roads in trial areas. Use of private e-scooters remains illegal (including in trial areas).
- It is illegal to ride on footpaths
- You must wear an approved bicycle helmet, that is securely fitted and fastened, at all times.
- You are limited to travel speeds of 10km/h on shared paths and 20km/h on roads and bicycle lanes.
- Your e-scooter must have a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in working order.
- You must use the e-scooter lights when riding in darkness or hazardous weather conditions.
- A BAC limit of 0.05 applies when riding an e-scooter. If you're drinking, don’t ride an e-scooter.
- E-scooter riders are subject to the same drug driving offences as motor vehicle drivers. You can't have illicit drugs present in your system or ride while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- If you're caught drink or drug riding, serious penalties apply and you may face consequences for your driver’s licence.
- You don't need a driver’s licence to ride an e-scooter.
- You must not carry another person or animal on your shared e-scooter.
Safety tips for riding a shared e-scooter
- Park your shared e-scooter thoughtfully, using marked bays if they are provided.
- Always wear brightly coloured clothing, so other road users can see you easily.
- Ride predictably and indicate clearly so other people know your intentions.
- Use your bell, horn, or similar warning device, if necessary to warn others of your approach.
- Shared e-scooter scheme operators are required to have appropriate insurance cover for their devices. You may consider insurance for personal injury or property damage but this is not a trial requirement.
Stay safe around shared e-scooters
Bicycle riders
- Always keep to the left.
- Make sure it is safe before overtaking shared e-scooters and leave enough space.
- Ride slowly around shared e-scooter riders.
- Use your bell or voice to let people know you are near them.
Pedestrians
- Always keep to the left.
- Hold hands with and closely supervise children.
- Keep your animal on a short leash.
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions such as mobile phones.
- If you need to stop, step off the path.
- Wear bright clothing so you can be seen by riders.
Motorists
- Look out for shared e-scooter riders by regularly checking your mirrors and blind spots.
- You must leave a minimum distance of 1m when passing.
- Slow down around shared e-scooter riders.
E-scooter offences that may apply
| Offence | Fine |
| Ride a privately owned e-scooter on road or related area | Penalties may apply for being an unregistered, uninsured and unlicensed motor vehicle |
| Ride an e-scooter hired through a share scheme outside trial area | $140 |
| Ride on road with speed limit over 50 km/h | $140 |
| Ride on footpath | $140 |
| Ride an e-scooter not in single file on roads | $140 |
| Ride e-scooter whilst under minimum age of 16 years | $140 |
| Exceed maximum operating speed limit of 20km/h | $140 |
| Carry passengers | $140 |
| Riding whilst under the influence of alcohol | The same penalties that apply to motorists apply to e-scooter riders during the trial. Find drink driving penalties on the NSW Government website. |
| Riding whilst under the influence of a drug (other than alcohol) | The same penalties that apply to motorists apply to e-scooter riders during the trial. Find drug driving penalties on the NSW Government website. |
| Use mobile phone whilst riding | $423 |
| Fail to wear helmet | $423 |
| Ride at night without appropriate lights and reflector | $140 per light or reflector |
Live shared e-scooter trial sites
Forster-Tuncurry trial
The Forster-Tuncurry e-scooter trial started on 8 December, 2023.
People 16 years or older can ride a shared e-scooter supplied by the selected provider, Beam, on designated bike paths, shared paths and roads inside the trial area.
All trial rules and parameters apply.
Wollongong trial
The Wollongong e-scooter trial started on 29 September, 2023.
People 16 years or older can ride a shared e-scooter supplied by the selected provider, Neuron Mobility, on designated bike paths, shared paths and roads inside the trial area.
All trial rules and parameters apply.
Past trials
- A trial was carried out in Kogarah from 10 January 2024 to 10 January 2025.
- A trial was carried out in Albury from 15 December 2023 to 14 November 2024.
- A trial was carried out in Western Sydney Parklands and Australian Botanic Gardens Mount Annan from the end of July 2022 to the end of October 2022.
- A trial was carried out in Lake Macquarie from December 2022 to May 2024.
- A trial was carried out in Armidale from September 2023 to September 2024.
More information
Learn the difference between devices, what the rules are and how to stay safe when riding in NSW.
Learn how we’re planning for the safe use of e-micromobility, including e-bikes and e-scooters.
Learn more about owning and using a bike or e-bike in NSW.
The NSW Government is working closely with local councils to trial shared e-scooters in sites across NSW.