E-bike and e-scooter sharing schemes in NSW

E-micromobility sharing schemes

Shared e-bikes and e-scooters are provided by private companies who make them available for people to rent. These companies are called sharing scheme operators or operators.

Shared devices are parked in public spaces to make them easy for people to find and use.

Shared e-bikes are playing an increasingly important role in the transport network, connecting people to public transport and making short journeys easier and more enjoyable.

In NSW:

• shared e-bikes are available in some local communities in Sydney
• there are no caps on the number of operators that can provide services
• there are no limits on the number of shared e-bikes that can be provided
• operators providing shared e-bikes do not need government or council approval before launching their services
• shared e-scooters are being trialled in some areas, with agreements held between operators and local councils.

Changing the way shared devices are provided to communities

While shared devices are a valued transport option for many people in NSW, poorly parked devices can impact pedestrian safety and create clutter in public spaces.

Transport for NSW is exploring a regulatory framework to provide councils with powers to decide if shared devices can be made available for people to use in their area.

The proposed reforms would require operators to have an agreement with the local council before making devices available for rent. The council would also be able to decide how many operators would be able to provide devices in the area and which operators to partner with.

The operators and councils would then be able to agree on how programs are managed, including:

• how many devices would be available for rent
• 'go slow' and 'no go' zones
• parking arrangements
• how complaints and feedback would be managed
• arrangements for the collection and re-distribution of devices
• any financial arrangements
• termination and penalty clauses.

Transport for NSW is also piloting designated parking for shared e-bikes at selected train and Metro stations in Sydney. Find out more about the shared e-bike parking pilot.

Engagement on reforms

Transport for NSW has engaged with stakeholders about the regulation of sharing schemes, to address community concerns and manage the risks that shared devices can pose.

Summaries of this engagement can be found here:

• E-micromobility stakeholder workshop – 2023 (PDF 180.95KB)
• E-micromobility stakeholder workshop – 2024 (PDF 505.63KB).

We will continue to engage councils, land managers and operators on the proposed regulatory reforms throughout 2025.

Current management approaches

Councils currently have powers under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 to manage shared e-bikes and e-scooters if they:

• are causing a risk to public safety
• are affecting public amenity
• have been left in one place for too long.

These powers will remain if the proposed regulatory reforms are implemented. Find out more on the Office of Local Government website or the Australian Institute of Local Government Rangers website.