Speed, age limit flagged as e-scooter, e-bike safety in spotlight

Strict speed and age limits would accompany another Australian state legalising the use of e-scooters, as a serious crash involving an illegally modified e-bike highlights safety risks.

NSW will on Tuesday table its response to a parliamentary inquiry into the use of the e-mobility devices, which was told their accessibility advantages must be balanced with severe safety risks.

The government will propose e-scooters can be ridden on shared paths with a default speed limit of between 10 and 20km/h.

On roads signposted at 50km/h, they would be limited to 20km/h.

Riders would need to be at least 16, consistent with all Australian jurisdictions except the ACT - and European recommendations.

The government does not intend to speed-limit e-bikes, as their motors are not the only source of power.

It will however review the formal definition of an e-bike within NSW’s road rules.

Transport Minister John Graham said e-mobility devices represented an “evolution” in how people get around, making a balance between their benefits and safety a must.

“We believe a sensible set of rules will promote the health and lifestyle benefits of e-bikes and e-scooters while protecting the safety of riders and everyone else sharing the paths and roads with them,” he said.

“We recognise the community’s concerns, particularly around device modification, fire risk, discarded shared e-bikes and poor rider behaviour – which is why we’re taking action.”

But the response will land against the backdrop of a serious collision in Victoria, where two men were taken to hospital after one was struck by an illegally modified e-bike.

A 69-year-old pedestrian was hit by the bike in Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula, and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The rider, a 24-year-old man, was also seriously injured.

No charges have yet been laid over the incident.

NSW’s inquiry made other recommendations, including establishing safety standards to reduce lithium-ion battery fires, a rider education campaign and investment in critical infrastructure and improving future design of shared paths.

E-scooters have been stuck in a legislative bind in NSW, being available to purchase but illegal to operate in public spaces.

The devices reduce small car trips, reduce strain on parking spaces and make train stations, jobs, services and retail precincts easier to access.

Shared e-scooters trials have been conducted in Kogarah, Wollongong and a handful of other council areas.

Doctors used the parliamentary inquiry to urge MPs not to legalise the scooters for kids after a sharp increase in children presenting to emergency rooms with crash injuries.

NSW estimates there are around 1.35 million e-micromobility devices in homes state-wide, with almost half of those used to connect with public transport.