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:

  • 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.

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.

Transport for NSW

Other information available:


    Category:

    • Travel

    Topics:

    • Road safety

    Business Unit:

    • Teaching Quality and Impact
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