Electronic scooters (e-scooters) are to zoom around Western Sydney from next weekend when Transport for NSW allows the first of several potentially shared e-scooter trials to roll out
Welcoming the trials, Minister for Active Transport, Rob Stokes said the first shared trials would begin on Saturday (30 July) at three locations in Western Sydney Parklands’ Bungarribee Park, Lizard Log and Shale Hills, as well as The Australian Botanic Garden in Mount Annan.
“The trial parameters have been carefully considered, taking lessons from e-scooter use around the world and across the country to ensure the safest, most practical and effective measures are in place,” Mr Stokes said.
“Like any new technology, e-scooters present us with enormous opportunities and several challenges to address before we can permanently permit them on our streets,” he said.
“This is why the NSW Government is committed to trialling them and why our parklands are the perfect location to start ahead of trials across multiple council areas.”
Mr Stokes said restrictions on the trials included a minimum age of 16 years for riders along with speed limits of 20km/h on bicycle paths, or roads with a speed limit up to 50 km/h, and a speed limit of 10km/h on shared paths.
He said e-scooters would not be permitted on footpaths and the use of privately owned e-scooters would remain prohibited.
“Visitors to Western Sydney Parklands and The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will be able to hire an e-scooter through the provider’s app,” the Minister said.
“The app will provide visitors with a map that shows where the scooters are located to pick up and ride,” he said.
