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, and shared e-scooters are being trialled in some areas, with agreements held between operators and local councils
• operators providing shared e-bikes do not need government or council approval before launching their services
• there are not regulated minimum standards for things like helmets, parking, insurances and data sharing. 

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 committed to integrating shared devices into the transport network and making these services available in as many places as possible in NSW, in ways that are safe and respectful of local amenity.

To improve outcomes, the NSW Government has announced the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Micromobility Vehicles and Smartcards) Bill 2025 to parliament to improve the way shared e-bikes are managed in public spaces.

Proposed changes to sharing scheme management

Proposed changes include:

• Transport for NSW will approve sharing scheme operators and ensure they meet minimum standards (which will be prescribed in regulations). Transport will have powers to fine operators, suspend or revoke approvals if they do not comply with the new rules. Transport will also support councils to provide adequate parking and manage sharing schemes being integrated with the broader transport network.
• Councils and State Government land managers will authorise operators to provide services in areas they manage. They will have powers to set conditions like mandatory parking bays, ‘no-go’ and ‘go-slow’ zones. Rangers will have the power to issue infringements to operators for devices that are not parked in designated zones, or are poorly parked; and for devices that do not have a helmet for riders to use.  Councils will be required to consider all applications from operators and grant an authorisation (unless they determine it is unreasonable to do so).
• Operators must apply for approval from Transport for NSW, maintain their fleets, comply with legislation and minimum standards set in regulations, and respond to community concerns. 

To ensure the new arrangements are financially sustainable, both Transport for NSW and councils/ land managers will be able to collect fees from operators. The maximum fee payable by operators will be set in regulations.

Proposed minimum standards for industry

Regulations will be drafted to set minimum standards for operators providing sharing scheme services, to improve safety and amenity outcomes. This will include:

• data reporting, including on trips, complaints and safety incidents
• device specification and standards (including the need for a visible identifying number and for devices to be free from graffiti)
• minimum helmet standards and the need for a helmet to always be provided for riders
• minimum insurances
• business operating standards (including fleet maintenance, complaints handling, data management and customer service)
• service levels and events provisions (including the redistribution of devices, collection of reported mis-parked or ‘dumped’ devices)
• the need to adhere to the terms of council authorisations for go-slow and no-go zones and parking arrangements
• pre-rider safety messages.

Engagement on reforms and next steps

Transport for NSW has been engaging with local councils, State Government land managers and sharing scheme operators about these matters since December 2023. Transport will continue to engage key stakeholders over the coming months to support drafting of new regulations, the development of guidance materials and establish transition arrangements for the industry.

Summaries of some past workshops can be found here:

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

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.

Managing parking

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

We will be delivering more parking at train and Metro stations where shared e-bikes are available for hire in the coming months.