New shared e-bike operator legislation
New shared e-bike scheme legislation introduced by the NSW Government on 14 August will make parking bays mandatory to clear up the footpath clutter and hold operators to account.
Under the new rules, councils will have the power to establish dedicated parking zones, no-go and go-slow zones, and be able to penalise operators if they are not used. Operators would enforce compliance by geo-tracking the bikes.
Shared e-bike operators will now need approval from Transport for NSW and consent from councils and authorities before setting up on their turf. Minimum standards include requirements for insurance, helmets, device standards, device identification, the provision of data on trips, incidents and complaints.
“We’re always looking at ways to encourage active transport here in Mosman and that includes the use of e-bikes,” Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber told
NL.
“The regulations requiring e-bike share operators to seek approval from Transport for NSW and permission from councils to operate in local areas are welcome, because we need to make sure that any scheme meets community expectations for public amenity, safety and compliance,” Mayor Kimber said.
Strict penalties of $55,000 apply, plus $5,500 per day for ongoing non-compliance, including when operators do not remove e-bikes abandoned haphazardly. Operator approvals can also be revoked.
Approved operators will need to ensure their devices do not block pathways, pedestrian crossings, bus and light rail stops, taxi zones or fire exits.
There will be a cap on the number of devices permitted in each area and operators will pay a levy per trip. Transport for NSW will be paid 60 cents and councils will receive 20c per trip. The levy 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.
“In Mosman’s case, we would like to see exactly where the no go zones are going to be, where the share zones will be, and where those designated parking spaces will be so that we, the operator and the community are all happy,” Mayor Kimber said.
A spokesperson for North Sydney Council told NL that council ‘welcomes measures that provide greater clarity around operator responsibilities, parking management and enforcement, which are key issues raised by our community.’
“North Sydney Council continues to receive complaints about share bikes blocking footpaths and recognises that this impacts pedestrian accessibility and safety,” the spokesperson said.
North Sydney Council believed the proposed funding and operator trip levy to be ‘insufficient to support the ongoing responsibilities councils will have.”
“Councils will continue to incur costs associated with infrastructure planning and delivery, compliance and enforcement activities, data management and community education,” the spokesperson said.
“As part of its formal submission, council recommended that the proposed 60c per trip levy be allocated directly to councils.”
Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor said the new framework ‘addresses a number of the issues council has previously raised about shared e-bike schemes.’
“It is encouraging that operators will now need to meet stricter statewide requirements before approaching councils for local authorisation. Council looks forward to working with Transport for NSW and e-bike operators on any future proposal, balancing the benefits of shared transport with pedestrian safety, accessibility and the impact on public spaces.”
“NSW has embraced e-bikes and shared e-bikes, which is a good thing, but we are not willing to stand around and let the wild west scenes we inherited go on any longer,” Minister for Transport John Graham said.
The new rules will be implemented in stages over a few months.
