E-micromobility issues being addressed

Safe use

Riders are vulnerable road users because they don’t have a lot of protection if they are involved in a crash. Current safety concerns include:

• riders using footpaths
• riding around vulnerable pedestrians and sensitive land uses like playgrounds and aged care facilities
• young people riding
• speed settings
• the power of devices
• use of helmets
• riders affected by drugs and alcohol
• reckless/inappropriate use or antisocial behaviour
• poorly parked and unattended shared e-bikes and shared e-scooters in public spaces, where they impede access for pedestrians, particularly people with impaired mobility.

Battery safety

E-scooters and e-bikes are often powered by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are energy-dense and may release large volumes of toxic and flammable gases if they fail or are damaged.

Lithium-ion battery fires can be intense, with jet-like flames and flaming projectiles. They can also be difficult to extinguish.

The way a battery is treated, how old it is, the quality of the battery and its exposure to heat and water all impact the risks of it failing and causing a fire.

Device standards

To support safe outcomes, clear device standards are needed for e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium-ion batteries. Without this, we may have more unsafe and over-powered devices in NSW.

To help reduce the risks related to poor-quality devices, standards are needed for devices being imported, sold and used.

Battery and device lifecycle management

E-micromobility devices create new risks and opportunities throughout their lifecycle, from their manufacture and use to when they are disposed of at the end of their life.

Through inspection, servicing and maintenance, we can reduce waste, improve safety and extend the life of e-micromobility devices.

The safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries is critical to help prevent fires and environmental harm.

Infrastructure, parking and public space management

Well-connected, high-quality active transport infrastructure, including appropriate parking facilities, will help boost safety outcomes for e-scooter and e-bike riders.

Insurance

The NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Scheme is not designed for e-micromobility devices. These devices are currently exempt from vehicle registration. Therefore, owners are not able to purchase CTP insurance for their device. There are limited private insurance options available for some e-micromobility devices, offering varying levels of cover.

In NSW, sharing scheme operators hold public liability, third-party property damage and personal accident insurances.

Data and research

Data and research support us in making evidence-based decisions regarding e-micromobility. It also informs our education and engagement activities to support safe outcomes.

As e-micromobility is an emerging transport option, there are limitations to the quality, breadth and availability of data. There are also limitations to data sharing and our capability for leveraging data insights across government.

Collaboration and coordination

The range of considerations and challenges related to e-micromobility requires a coordinated and collaborative effort. These key issues intersect and the responsibility for handling them is shared between NSW Government agencies, the Australian Government, local councils and industry. Advocacy groups and researchers also have a critical role to play.

Find out how the NSW Government is addressing these issues through the NSW E-micromobility Action Plan (PDF 516.72KB).