Scooter enthusiasts have been issued a tough warning with strict rules making it illegal to even ride the popular electronic devices.
Riders could be slapped with an $697 on-the-spot fine for riding a prohibited or uninsured vehicle on NSW roads or pavements, which includes electronic scooters, electric skateboards, and hoverboards.
Despite the devices being considered motor vehicles, they do not satisfy the Australian Design Rules and therefore can’t be registered or insured.
Rules around the popular devices vary state to state in Australia, with some banning the scooters while others enforcing a list of strict requirements on riders.
Scooter enthusiasts could be slapped with an $697 on-the-spot fine for riding a prohibited or uninsured vehicle on NSW roads or pavements (pictured, a man rides an eScooter in Victoria)
The Hills Police Area Command posted a reminder of the rules to their Facebook page last week (pictured) and quickly sparked criticism from the rider community
Electric bikes are legal as they have pedals as their primary means of propulsion and are only assisted by a motor.
The only place eScooter riders can take their device for a spin is on private property, with shared roads, pavements and cycleways strictly off limits.
These strict new rules also apply to petrol-powered bicycles, motorised foot scooters, mini or ‘monkey’ bikes, segways, electric skateboards and hoverboards.
The Hills Police Area Command posted a reminder of the rules to their Facebook page last week and quickly sparked criticism from the rider community.
Many said it was time to update the laws and pointed to the environmental benefits of the electric devices, and the soaring price of petrol.
‘They’re a great idea. They should be legal. We just need simple, clear rules on where, when and how fast they should be used,’ one man wrote.
‘Time to update the laws. With petrol prices going through the roof more and more people will be using these,’ a second agreed.
‘It’s a bit ridiculous when one authority allows them to be imported and sold in Australia and another authority bans their public use, would be logical if the Authorities actually communicated to one another,’ a third pointed out.
‘So behind the times…. And we are supposed to be an ‘advanced nation’… Pffft Heavy Fines? Sounds draconian….’ a fourth shared.
‘Banning them doesn’t make people safe or stop people using them or place selling them. Make laws that facilitate their use in public spaces so that people can do so safely,’ another suggested.
‘This has to change. This is an economical and environmental way to get around; easy to be stored when not using – no big parking space required,’ one said.
‘How many people were killed by cars, how many by scooters? Require a driver’s licence if there is a safety concern but it’s a pointless law and a literal waste of time to enforce,’ another shared.
The only place eScooter riders can take their device for a spin is on private property, with shared roads, pavements and cycleways strictly off limits (pictured, riders in Melbourne)
Many Sydney scooter riders said it was time to update the laws and pointed to the environmental benefits of the electric devices, and the soaring price of petrol
Use of eScooters in public is banned in NSW and South Australia (pictured, riders in Brisbane)
In Brisbane, the law was amended to allow a trial of electric scooters with tourists and locals alike invited to rent Lime Scooters for a small price.
New Zealand also moved to legalise almost any battery powered vehicles as long as they fit the definition of a ‘low-powered vehicle’.
The cheap and efficient means of transport is also legal to ride in the ACT and Tasmania but are still outlawed in NSW and South Australia.
In Victoria, eScooters can be ridden in public as long the device aren’t petrol-powered, don’t have over 200W in power and have a max speed of 10km/h.
In welcome news for Sydney riders, the city of Newcastle has been approached by multiple eScooter companies looking to launch a trial of the devices (pictured, a rider in Brisbane)
In Tasmania, riders are asked to wear a helmet and follow road rules with their devices also not to have over 200W of power.
Electric scooter laws in NT, SA, QLD, and WA allow riders to drive eScooters with a normal driver’s license.
However, in ACT, NSW, TAS, and VIC, riders must complete training before taking the devices for a spin with their eScooters to meet certain requirements.
In welcome news for Sydney riders, the city of Newcastle has been approached by multiple eScooter companies looking to launch a trial of the devices.
A spokesperson for the City of Newcastle has said, ‘Any future shared electric scooter trial would likely be by expression of interest and be undertaken in conjunction with Transport for NSW’.