Electric Scooter Regulations in the Australian Capital Territory
Since the inception of the e-scooter scheme in September 2020, over 2.4 million trips have been recorded on e-scooters in the ACT. To ride an e-scooter in the ACT, riders must adhere to the following regulations:
- Wear an approved safety helmet.
- Equip the e-scooter with a warning device, such as a bell, or ensure accessibility to a warning device.
- Install lights and reflectors on the e-scooter or on oneself when riding at night or during hazardous weather conditions.
- Yield to pedestrians and keep to the left while riding.
- Supervise children under the age of 12 when they are using an e-scooter.
All road users, including e-scooter riders and pedestrians, share the responsibility of utilizing footpaths and roads and must be considerate of other users.
However, there are certain restrictions on riding e-scooters in the ACT:
- Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
- Using a mobile phone while riding is prohibited.
- Carrying passengers on the e-scooter is prohibited.
Electric Scooter Regulations in New South Wales
In New South Wales, riding an electric scooter in public spaces such as footpaths, shared paths, and bike lanes is illegal, except on private property. However, electric scooter share schemes have been trialed in various locations, including Western Sydney Parklands, Australian Botanic Gardens Mount Annan, and Lake Macquarie.
To ride an e-scooter in NSW, riders must:
- Hire the e-scooter through an approved provider, including trial areas.
- Wear an approved bike helmet.
- Utilize the e-scooter's lights during darkness or hazardous weather conditions.
- Wear brightly colored clothing for visibility.
- Indicate intentions clearly to other road users.
While riding an e-scooter in NSW, certain activities are prohibited, including:
- Riding privately owned scooters on NSW roads or related areas.
- Riding under the influence of alcohol, with a 0.05 limit.
- Having illicit drugs present in the system.
Electric Scooter Regulations in the Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, e-scooters have been allowed to operate in the Darwin municipality since January 2020 under an exclusive exemption provided by the Northern Territory Government. To ride an e-scooter in the Darwin CBD, riders must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Wear an approved, securely fitted bike helmet.
- Ride only on footpaths, shared paths, and bike lanes.
- Keep to the left and yield to pedestrians.
- Adhere to the 15 km/h speed limit.
Certain activities are prohibited while riding an e-scooter in the Darwin CBD, including:
- Carrying passengers.
- Using a mobile phone while riding.
- Riding with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 or more.
If you own your e-scooter in the NT, you can only ride it on public property, not on roads, footpaths, or other public spaces.
Electric Scooter Regulations in Queensland
In Queensland, various personal mobility devices, including e-scooters, have been operated on roads since Brisbane's initial e-scooter trial in 2018. To ride a personal mobility device in Queensland, riders must:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Keep left and yield to pedestrians.
- Travel at the speed limit.
- Maintain a safe distance from pedestrians.
- Keep left of oncoming bikes and other personal mobility devices.
- Keep a distance of at least 2 meters from the back of a vehicle when following for over 200 m.
- Wear an approved bicycle helmet.
While riding an e-scooter in Queensland, certain activities are prohibited, including:
- Holding a mobile phone while riding.
- Carrying another person.
- Riding a personal mobility device with sharp protrusions.
As of November 2022, e-scooter speed limits have decreased, and fines have increased to ensure safer riding on footpaths in Queensland.
Electric Scooter Regulations in South Australia
In South Australia, e-scooters are categorized as motorized wheeled recreational vehicles. To ride an electric scooter in SA, riders must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Wear an approved bike helmet that is securely fitted.
- Utilize a warning device, such as a bell, horn, or verbal warning.
- Use front and rear lights when riding at night or in hazardous conditions.
Certain restrictions apply to riding e-scooters in SA, including:
- Riding on roads with a dividing line or median strip.
- Riding on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h.
- Riding in one-way roads with multiple marked lanes.
- Riding in prohibited areas.
Additionally, while riding an e-scooter in SA, certain activities are prohibited, including:
- Exceeding the 15 km/h speed limit.
- Riding in bus lanes or bike lanes.
- Using a mobile phone while riding.
- Riding side by side with another scooter.
- Carrying passengers.
Four e-scooter trials are currently underway in Adelaide and North Adelaide, the Coastal Park Trail, Norwood, Payneham, St Peters, and the City of Unley. Each council will assess the trial and make recommendations based on its outcome.
Electric Scooter Regulations in Tasmania
In Tasmania, riding personal mobility devices, including e-scooters and e-skateboards, is allowed on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths, and some roads since December 1, 2021. To ride an electric scooter in Tasmania, riders must:
- Be 16 years or older.
- Use a low-powered e-scooter that does not exceed 200 watts and 10 km/h if under 16.
- Wear an approved helmet.
- Give way to pedestrians.
- Travel a sufficient distance from pedestrians to stop safely and avoid collisions.
Electric Scooter Regulations in Victoria
In Victoria, the e-scooter share-scheme trial has been extended for an additional six months until March 2023. Privately owned electric scooters can be used under strict trial rules from April 2023, which were previously only allowed on private property.
To ride an e-scooter in Victoria, riders must:
- Be at least 16 years or over.
- Wear a helmet.
- Use a warning device to avert danger.
- Ride on shared-use paths and roads up to and including 60 km/h.
- Ride up to a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
- Give way to pedestrians when necessary.
Certain activities are prohibited while riding an e-scooter in Victoria, including:
- Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Riding side by side with another scooter.
- Using a mobile phone.
- Carrying passengers or animals.
Over the next six months, VicRoads will monitor the use of electric scooters to ensure their safe incorporation into the transport network.
Electric Scooter Regulations in Western Australia
In Western Australia, an e-scooter is classified as an eRideable. To ride an e-scooter in WA, riders must:
- Be at least 16 years or over.
- Wear an approved bicycle, skateboard, or motorcycle safety helmet.
- Use lights and reflectors when riding at night.
- Use a bell or other warning device.
- Maintain a distance of at least two meters from the rear of any motor vehicle.
- Ride on footpaths, bicycle paths, and shared paths.
- Ride on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less.
While riding an e-scooter in WA, certain activities are prohibited, including:
- Carrying passengers or animals on an e-scooter.
- Using a mobile phone.
- Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
E-scooters are not allowed on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km/h, roads with a dividing line, paths with a "no wheeled devices" sign, or paths with a "no bicycle" sign.