NSW E-scooter Shared Scheme Trial

Project information 

Project Background

In response to the growing popularity of e-scooters and the need to safely manage their use,  the Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes announced that Transport will enable a trial of e-scooter shared schemes.

The trial is expected to run for 12 months.

On 13 July 2022, councils were invited to participate in the trial. 

Trial Locations

Transport is looking for trial locations where e-scooters: 

• may be a viable transport choice for customers  
• can facilitate a variety of trips 
• can be easily integrated into an existing bicycle riding infrastructure and/or be connected through existing infrastructure including bicycle paths/lanes, shared paths, and local roads.

Trial signage and other minor infrastructure changes (with minimal impact on the transport network) may be implemented. 

All trial locations will be required to have a safety assessment and audit. View Road Safety Audit FAQ (PDF, 132.39 KB).

Selected roads or areas will be declared as an Electric Scooter Use Area under NSW Road Rules by Transport and once new rules and regulations are in place, it will be legal for riders of hired e-scooters to ride them on those listed roads and areas.

Summary of key trial parameters 

Building on previous recommendations of the E-Scooter Advisory Working Group (ESA) in 2019, Transport has developed proposed parameters for the trial.

At selected trial locations, e-scooter shared schemes will be permitted on: 

• bicycle paths
• shared paths (which can be identified by signs and/or pavement markings showing a pedestrian and a bicycle).
• roads (including bicycle lanes) on which the speed limit is up to 50 kilometres per hour. 

E-scooter users will not be permitted to travel on footpaths.

Speeds will be limited to:

• 20 kilometres per hour on bicycle paths/lanes and roads. 
• 10 kilometres per hour on shared paths. 

E-scooter users will be required to wear bicycle helmets.

Minimum age of users is 16 years old. 

During the trial, it will remain illegal to: 

• use private e-scooters on all roads, footpaths, and shared/bicycle paths in NSW 
• operate/use e-scooter shared schemes outside of selected trial locations.  

View summary of key trial parameters  (PDF, 201.37 KB)

Transport will be completing an evaluation of the trial and will require ongoing monitoring in each trial location to ensure crashes or other safety incidents are reported for management.

Council participation

NSW councils were invited to request to participate in the trial by making a detailed Request to Participate submission that covers:  

• proposed trial location(s) including the nominated streets, roads, bicycle paths, shared paths, and parking areas (with road safety audits by a certified auditor)
• details of nominated e-scooter shared scheme provider(s)
• how councils and their nominated e-scooter shared scheme provider(s) have met proposed trial parameters
• responses to Transport’s requirements that are detailed in our guide for councils and providers interested in participating in the NSW E-scooter Shared Scheme Trial  (PDF, 298.55 KB)

The deadline for NSW council submissions was 30 September 2022. Transport is continuing to assess and process submissions received, with the new trials expected to commence in 2023. 

View Transport's Request to Participate checklist (PDF, 200.88 KB) before making a submission 

Transport may seek further information from councils before making decisions.

Project documents

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