A better way to manage shared e-bikes
Sharing schemes can play an important role in the transport network, helping connect people to public transport and jobs and providing a great way for people to explore our state.
And services need to be provided in a way that is safe, respectful of public amenity and meets community expectations.
The NSW Government is introducing a statewide regulatory framework for micromobility sharing schemes to set new standards and rules for sharing scheme operators.
The laws and regulations are detailed in the Road Transport Act 2013 (the Act) and Part 8A of the Road Transport (General) Regulation 2021.
Information for sharing scheme operators
Sharing scheme operators need to be approved and authorised and meet regulatory requirements to provide services in NSW.
Information for authorities
Authorities need to consider applications from operators and grant authorisations. They can set and enforce requirements around parking, no-go and go-slow zones.
Managing fleet numbers and parking
Learn about how device numbers are managed in NSW and how Transport and authorities are improving safety and amenity outcomes by providing parking for shared e-bikes.
Riding shared e-bikes
You don’t need to own your own e-bike to ride. Learn more about riding shared e-bikes in NSW.
Who sets and enforces the rules?
Transport, councils and selected State Government land managers (collectively known as authorities) all play a role in how shared e-bikes are managed.
- Transport approves operators of sharing schemes and ensures they meet minimum service standards set in the regulations. This will mean one statewide approval to check operators have safe devices and helmets for riders, hold the required insurances, and can provide data on trips and incidents in line with Transport’s specifications.
- Authorities set no-go, go-slow and mandatory parking zones and parking bays. Operators must adhere to these. Authorities issue authorisations to approved operators to provide services in their local area in accordance with those conditions. They can penalise operators if they do not have devices parked where they are supposed to and if there are devices without a helmet attached.
Transport can also suspend or revoke approvals, and both Transport and authorities can issue removal orders and seize vehicles that are unlawfully put on streets for hire without approval or authorisation.
The funding model for sharing schemes in NSW
Operators charge their customers (riders) fees for the trips they take.
Once the regulatory framework is implemented, sharing scheme operators will pay fees to Transport and authorities for every trip taken.
The fees are capped in the regulations and ensure operators help cover the costs to government of enabling and regulating the industry.
- The fees can be used by authorities to pay for staff to plan for and deliver parking infrastructure, communications, engagement and education activities; and for compliance and enforcement actions.
- The fees paid to Transport will be used to pay for regulatory services to approve operators, manage compliance and enforcement activities; and deliver programs and services to provide parking infrastructure (including the Sharing Scheme Grants Program for authorities).
Development of the statewide framework
The regulatory framework, legislation, regulations, and supporting guidance documents have been developed following extensive consultation with councils, State Government land managers and sharing scheme operators spanning two and a half years.
To outline the feedback received on draft regulations and guidance materials between February and July 2026, Transport has prepared a Consultation Outcomes Report.
In previous years, Transport carried out workshops and briefings to inform policy development. You can view:
Key themes and questions raised through consultation, webinars and workshops are reflected in the proposed regulation, data guidance and parking guidance materials.
NSW E-micromobility Action Plan
The NSW Government is committed to enabling and promoting e-micromobility as a safe, accessible and sustainable transport choice across the state. Find out more about how we are making this happen.
Implementing the regulatory framework
14 August 2026: Regulation gazettal, publication of the consultation outcomes report and NSW Micromobility Data Implementation Specification.
14 August 2026: Applications for operator approval open.
Within 60 days of application: Transport will determine operator approval applications.
Following Transport approval: Operators may apply to councils and State Government land managers for operating authorisations.
Within 60 days of application: Authorities will determine authorisation applications.
31 January 2027: Authorities nominate area fleet targets.
28 February 2027: Transport notifies operators of any maximum fleet size allocations.
1 March 2027: Operators’ maximum fleet size applies.
1 June 2027: First performance-based assessment issued, based on trips undertaken between 1 March and 31 May 2027.
31 August 2027: Transport reviews fleet utilisation and the fleet management framework.
Summer 2027: Compliance and enforcement provisions commence, including requirements for operators to be approved and authorised to operate sharing schemes in NSW.