Riding e-bikes and e-scooters
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is a bicycle that is powered with rechargeable batteries, providing electric assistance while pedalling.
Are students permitted to ride an e-bike?
Yes.
Students can ride a privately owned e-bike if it meets Transport for NSW’s requirements.
How to store e-bikes on school grounds?
The department’s Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing's Risk Management Process support and resources, common hazard factsheets provide the following advice:
charging of e-bike lithium-ion batteries is not permitted on department sites
- e-bikes are to be stored in a location away from structures, as advised by WHS
Although NSW legislation does not mandate a specific distance for storing e-bikes away from structures, general guidelines emphasise that storage areas should minimise fire risks. This includes keeping batteries and e-bikes in well-ventilated spaces, away from flammable materials, and not within enclosed structures where a fire could easily spread.
Are petrol-powered bicycles permitted on NSW roads?
No.
All petrol-powered bicycles are illegal on NSW roads and road-related areas such as footpaths, shared paths, cycle ways and cycle paths. Petrol-powered bicycles can only be used on private property.
Are students permitted to ride an e-scooter?
No.
In NSW, it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on roads or road-related areas, including footpaths, shared paths, cycle ways and cycle paths.
Privately owned e-scooters can only be ridden on private property.
Are students allowed to ride an e-scooter in a trial area?
E-scooter shared schemes are being trialled in designated local government areas in NSW.
Riders must be 16 years or older to hire and ride a shared e-scooter within a trial area.
Hired shared scheme e-scooters are only able to be used on roads and road-related areas in the designated e-scooter trial areas.
Find out further advice from Transport for NSW and conditions for e-scooter trial areas.
Resources to share with families
A variety of resources are available to help schools manage and communicate with families on how to keep their children safe when riding bicycles or e-bikes to and from school.
E-bikes advice for families TfNSW (PDF - 1.5MB)
E-scooter advice for families TfNSW (PDF -1.5MB)
Sample bicycle/e-bike templates - DoE safety guidelines for parents and carers
- Fire and Rescue NSW – Lithium-ion battery safety
- Fire and Rescue NSW – Battery and charging safety
Actions required by schools
If students are riding to and from school using petrol-powered bicycles or e-bikes that don't comply with legislative standards, principals should:
- inform the student and their parents/carers that it is illegal to ride these bicycles outside private property
- deny the storage of petrol-powered bicycles or illegal e-bikes on school property.
If students are riding personal e-scooters to and from school, principals should:
- inform the student and their parents/carers that it is illegal to ride e-scooters outside private property
- deny the storage of e-scooters on school property.
Further support for schools
Department of Education
Students will critically analyse the regulations surrounding e-bikes in New South Wales, exploring the distinctions between power-assisted pedal cycles, electrically power-assisted cycles, and the prohibition of petrol-powered bicycles.
- Advice to schools about students riding safely to and from school
- Contact the department Road Safety Education team for more information.
Transport for NSW
Other information available:
- Transport for NSW brochure – Bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters (PDF -1.3MB)
- Transport for NSW – E-bikes and petrol-powered bicycles
- Transport for NSW - E-bikes – frequently asked questions