Footpaths will be cleaned up and shared e-bike operators will be held to higher standards as a result of landmark laws that come into effect today in NSW.
In an Australian first, shared e-bike operators will now need to approval from Transport for NSW and authorisation from councils and authorities before providing their services. Until today, shared scheme operators were able to deploy e-bikes anywhere without approval.
After extensive consultation with local councils, shared scheme operators and the bicycle industry, key elements of the shared scheme laws include:
- Authorisation that ensures operators are held to a consistent state-wide set of minimum standards which include requirements for insurance, helmets, device standards, device identification, the provision of data on trips, incidents and complaints.
- Strict penalties of up to $55,000, plus $5,500 per day for ongoing non-compliance including the failure to remove e-bikes from inappropriate locations.
- Approved operators will need to ensure their devices do not block pathways, pedestrian crossings, bus and light rail stops, taxi zones or fire exits.
- Local councils will be able to issue penalties for non-compliance, while Transport for NSW may suspend or revoke approvals where operators fail to meet their obligations.
- Councils and authorities will also have the power to establish dedicated parking zones and bays as well as “no-go” and “go-slow” zones.
- Fleet caps to ensure the right number of shared devices are available in each area by linking each operator’s fleet size to dynamic factors including demand and performance.
- A per trip levy on shared scheme operators which will fund the $6.6 million Sharing Scheme Grant Program which grants local councils up to $200,000 to deliver e-bike parking in their areas.
Staged commencement of the new rules will occur in the coming months, giving councils and NSW Government land managers powers to set required parking zones and to penalise shared e-bike operators if they aren’t used.
In addition to the shared scheme reforms the NSW Government is also reducing the risk posed by illegal private e-bike use, including the following measures:
- Powers for NSW Police to seize and crush illegal, privately-owned e-bikes.
- Reducing the 500-watt e-bike power limit introduced by the Liberals to 250-watts.
- Introducing world-leading Standard to ensure e-bikes are pedalled and legal power output cannot be tampered with.
- Introducing a minimum age limit to ride an e-bike.
- Imposing strict new safety standards on the sale of lithium-ion batteries.
- Banning converted e-bikes from trains and Sydney Metro services to reduce the risk of fires.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“If you’re sick of e-bikes cluttering up your streets, these are the laws you’ve been waiting for. But likewise, if you’re someone who really enjoys using shared e-bikes these laws will make them safer and more reliable.
“Up until now shared bike operators have been able to put their bikes wherever they wanted. That’s changing today. From now they have to be registered with Transport for NSW and have approval from local councils.
“This is a fast-changing space, and we don’t want to miss out on the great transport benefits these bikes provide, but we have to strike the balance on their impact on the rest of the community and these laws do that in a comprehensive way.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Dr Marjorie O’Neill said:
“This is a massive undertaking which will take some time to fully implement, but over the coming months you’ll start to see the improvements take effect on our streets.
“We’re supporting operators to adjust to these higher expectations – from riders, pedestrians, councils and the wider community – as quickly as possible.”
Secretary for Transport for NSW Josh Murray said:
“These reforms are about preserving the benefits of the shared e-bike system while responding to community feedback.
“The program is designed to address safety needs and respond to community concerns about improperly parked devices while supporting the continued growth of shared e‑bikes as one of our fastest growing transport modes.
“We want to continue expanding sustainable and affordable transport options but improve equity of access and provide more suitable infrastructure so that communities experience shared e‑bike use as safe, orderly and easy to find the benefits.”