Years after e-scooter hire scheme introductions in cities around the world, including in Australia with mixed success, the NSW Labor-led government is preparing to make riding the scooters legal.
The government’s new E-micromobility Action Plan released this week recognises a regulatory blind spot that means e-scooters can be purchased in stores, but can’t be ridden on NSW streets, a media release Monday read.
Privately owned e-scooters can presently only be used on private property in NSW and are banned on roads or road-related areas, including footpaths, shared paths, cycleways and cycle paths.
The government’s new action plan comes after a parliamentary inquiry that took submissions until 18 August and held hearings at the end of that month.
Nearly 60 actions are included in the plan, including a review of road rules in relation to e-micromobility and more shared e-scooter trials, as well as exploration of job opportunities in the e-scooter repair industry via TAFE.
E-scooters are yet to be seen at large in the Byron Shire but the popularity of e-bikes, which are legally supposed to be propelled mainly by push-pedal power as opposed to relying on the electric boost, has been somewhat divisive.
The issue of e-bike safety for other road users and for children seen riding without helmets was raised in last month’s Byron Shire Meet the Candidates forum in the leadup to local government elections.
Candidates mostly said they shared community concerns but the issue was one for police.
Firefighters’ review of low voltage batteries continues
NSW Fair Trading has already carried out one of the actions in this week’s released plan, the introduction of new safety standards regarding the sale of lithium-ion batteries and e-micromobility devices.
Associated changes means sellers of devices like e-scooters and e-bikes will soon face penalties of up to $825,000 if they fail to meet the new standards.
The action plan also refers to a Safety of Alternative and Renewable Energy Technologies (SARET) Research Program10.
The program is led by Fire and Rescue NSW and is aimed at providing an evidence base that the government says will inform the management of battery fire and explosion risks to the community.
A review of the state’s Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 is listed, to consider the inclusion of all high-risk extra-low voltage products within the scope of the Act.
Parking, helmets and insurance
A suggested pilot for marked, dedicated parking bays for shared e-bikes is one of the other actions.
The government says the pilot project is underway at nine train stations around Sydney: Central, Circular Quay, Wynyard, Barangaroo Metro, Newtown, Sydenham, Marrickville and Bondi Junction.
Other changes yet to be implemented include mandatory approved bicycle helmets for riders, and a minimum rider age of sixteen.
One of the areas of concern to be addressed is insurance.
The NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Scheme is not designed or priced to respond to injuries or death sustained through use of e-micromobility devices, information from the government says.
Instead, limited private insurance options are said to be available for some e-micromobility devices, with varying levels of cover.
Operators of shared e-scooter trials in NSW are responsible for public liability, third-party property damage, and personal accident insurances.
The government says changes to e-scooter regulations are being rolled out by its E-micromobility Interagency Group, set up in May and made up of 15 NSW government agencies.
More information is available via www.transport.nsw.gov.au/e-scooter-changes.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
