Is it Legal to Ride an Electric Scooter in Australia?

By Marie-Antoinette Issa
on 1 November 2024

As electric scooters zoom into the future of urban mobility, laws surrounding their use across Australia can be wheely confusing – with some states and territories ahead of the curve. And others, a littler slower to get the wheels in motion. Given the chance to trail the just-launched Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro we were revved up and ready to go! After all, this e-scooter is designed for both urban commutes and off-road adventures, making it one of the most versatile models in the market. Its features included 1600-watt motor, a max speed of 25 km/h, and Segway’s innovative RideyLong range optimisation – meaning the ZT3 Pro could travel to 70 km on a single charge in Eco Mode. However, before we hopped on this sleek new ride, there was one crucial question to ask: is it legal to ride an electric scooter in Australia?

Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro
The Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro just launched. But, is it legal to ride an e-scooter in your state?

New South Wales

If you’re in NSW, you might have to confine your scooter dreams to private property. While the NSW government this week launched the “E-micromobility action plan” to make e-scooter legal on public roads, at the moment, e-scooters are largely restricted to private land. With only a few public trial areas allowing their use. So given that it’s legal to buy them but (mostly) illegal to ride them in the Premier State, it’s best to check if you’re in one of these lucky zones before zooming off.

Victoria

Victoria has embraced the electric scooter revolution with open arms (sort of). Public use is allowed, but keep a few caveats in mind. Ride on bike lanes and roads with speed limits under 50 km/h, but skip the footpath. Stick to a maximum speed of 20 km/h, so you can take it easy and enjoy the ride!

Queensland

Sunny Queensland might just be e-scooter heaven. You can legally cruise on footpaths and shared paths at a max of 12 km/h, while roads let you pick up the pace to 25 km/h. Just make sure you’re following traffic rules, and don’t forget that helmet!

Western Australia

Across the coast, WA’s e-scooter rules are similar to Queensland’s but with a slight twist. You can zip around at 25 km/h on bike lanes and shared paths, but if you’re on a footpath, you’ll need to dial it down to 10 km/h. Stay off major roads and freeways, and you’ll be good to go.

South Australia

South Australia gives e-scooter fans plenty of freedom. With similar rules to Queensland, you can ride up to 25 km/h on shared paths, but keep it slower on footpaths. Public trials are still ongoing in specific areas, so be sure to check your location before hitting the road.

Tasmania

If you’re on the island state, Tasmania’s rules are a bit stricter, with speed limits between 15-25 km/h on shared paths and footpaths. Stick to these, and you’ll stay on the right side of the law.

ACT & Northern Territory

Both the ACT and the Northern Territory allow e-scooters on shared paths and footpaths, with speed limits ranging from 15-25 km/h. Certain roads are okay too, as long as they don’t exceed 50 km/h.

Ride it out

As e-scooter trials expand and new models like the Segway-Ninebot ZT3 Pro hit the market, it’s clear that e-scooters are here to stay. Just remember, helmet on, check the local rules, and keep your speed in check to avoid any costly fines!

Ready to take the ZT3 Pro for a legal spin? Make sure you read up on whether it is legal to ride an electric scooter in your state, so you’re up to date with the rules in your area before you hit the throttle!

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