New South Wales plans to legalize the use of e-scooters on both paths and roads with a speed limit of 20km/h for individuals aged 16 and above.

The New South Wales government is set to legalize e-scooters on shared paths and bike lanes but will keep them banned from footpaths. This decision, part of the Minns government’s response to a parliamentary inquiry into e-micromobility, suggests tight speed and age restrictions for their use. The proposal, which will be outlined on Tuesday, comes as e-scooters have seen a surge in popularity and are already available for purchase but have been largely outlawed from public spaces in NSW, except for limited trials in certain local council areas. The government estimates there are about 1.35 million e-micromobility devices in use across NSW, with nearly half used in conjunction with public transport. Despite their benefits, there have been significant safety concerns regarding their use, leading the government to introduce these regulatory measures to improve pedestrian and road safety. The proposed legal framework includes a speed limit of 10km/h to 20km/h on shared paths, where the default is up to 20km/h, and limits riders to 20km/h on roads signposted at 50km/h. No one under the age of 16 will be permitted to ride e-scooters, but minors will be able to ride e-bikes without a license or formal training. The new rules also clarify the legal definition of e-bikes, which must primarily be pedal-powered with no more than 200W of motor assistance. Police will be responsible for enforcing these new laws, with penalties to be determined.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/13/nsw-to-legalise-e-scooters-over-16