Electric Scooters in Sydney

Experience the beauty of Harbour City, one of the most celebrated cities in the world, without having to deal with perpetual traffic. With an electric scooter, you can navigate the city on your own terms, enjoying the sheer freedom and excitement it offers.

Sydney, Australia’s largest and most popular city, is known for many things. Tourists flock to this vibrant metropolis every year to marvel at the iconic Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, tour the pristine Bondi Beach and the Royal Botanic Garden, explore the state’s diverse wildlife, and immerse themselves in the rich culture the city has to offer.

This booming city boasts a robust and reliable economy, ranking eleventh in the world for economic opportunity. Beyond its tourism sector, where it holds a spot among the top fifteen most-visited cities in the world, Sydney also has strongholds in the industries of finance and manufacturing.

With over 5 million residents, the capital city of New South Wales is home to a diverse mix of people of different ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles. As a renowned educational and economic hub, you will find a huge population of students and young professionals as well as immigrants, families, retirees—and quite a lot of affluent individuals.

The city’s allure is clear. With low crime rates and generally safe neighbourhoods, Sydney consistently earns a spot among the world’s top ten most livable cities. Yet, this urban dream does come with a tradeoff: it is also one of the most expensive places to call home.

There is no shortage of places to visit in Sydney, but despite its progress, the city was simply not designed to accommodate the current traffic it receives. As a result, it’s no surprise that vehicle gridlock has become a daily occurrence. 

So, if you’re planning to get around Sydney by car, it’s best to plan ahead by anticipating the likelihood of spending hours in standstill traffic.

On the other hand, the city does have an efficient network of public transportation that encompasses buses, trains, ferries, and light rail. But while systematic and organised, the costs of riding public transport in Sydney can add up, with ticket fares that usually increase every year.

That said, considering its abundance of pedestrian-only areas, Sydney is a great city to explore on foot or, alternatively, with an electric scooter.

Despite its strong economy and modern infrastructure, Sydney maintains a conservative stance when it comes to legalising the use of electric scooters.

As of writing, using private electric scooters in Sydney remains illegal on public roads and road-related areas like footpaths, shared paths, and bicycle lanes.

Nonetheless, you are free to use your own electric scooter on private property. If you are interested in getting your own e-scooter, we recommend opting for a lightweight and portable model so you can easily take it with you on trips outside the city.

Still, Sydney’s ongoing trials seem to demonstrate the city’s willingness to explore the feasibility of electric scooters as a viable alternative to cars and public transport. 

As laws and regulations change from time to time, remember to stay updated on the legality of e-scooters in Sydney.

In response to electric scooters’ growing popularity, the NSW government has implemented a series of e-scooter trials across selected urban and rural regions in the state.

Partnering with shared e-scooter services operated by Lime, Neuron, and Beam, the Sydney trial schemes allow riders to hire electric scooters and ride them in certain permitted areas while adhering to specific rules and restrictions.

In approved trial locations, electric scooters can be ridden on bike paths, shared paths, and roads with speed limits that don’t exceed 50 kph. Scooters should not exceed these speed limits:

• 20 kph on bike paths and roads
• 10 kph on shared paths

Riders should be 16 or older and are required to wear proper bicycle or electric scooter helmets. Find out more about Sydney’s current electric scooter trials here.

The coastal metropolis enjoys a humid subtropical climate characterised by warm to hot summers and moderately cool winters. Thanks to its generally sunny and mild weather, Sydney offers the ideal setting for outdoor adventures, walks along the beach, and leisurely scootering.

Then again, while summer, autumn, and spring in Sydney offer the perfect temperature for various escapades, remember to watch out for winter. 

Between June and August, the average temperatures drop and the city receives a substantial amount of rainfall. During these months, it’s best to use water-resistant electric scooters with a high level of protection against raindrops and splashes. 

With terrains that are as diverse as its population, Sydney is marked by a variety of landscapes that offer different kinds and levels of thrill.

Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Sydney is home to more than 70 harbours and beaches, which include the Sydney Harbour—the largest in the world—and the famous Bondi Beach. Hop on a ferry to view the breathtaking city skyline, go swimming and sunbathing, or enjoy a simple dinner in one of its many waterfront restaurants.

Aside from its seas, Sydney is also flanked by the Blue Mountains to its west, where you can learn about Aboriginal history while engaging in activities like hiking or rock climbing. 

In the north and south of Sydney lie the serene Hawkesbury River region and the picturesque Woronora Plateau. Both regions offer numerous experiences like camping, fishing, and bushwalking—all perfect opportunities to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Meanwhile, a number of national parks and recreation areas, including the Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo Reserve, and the Centennial Parklands, are conveniently located within the city’s central business district.

Given its current legal status in the city, the use of an electric scooter in Sydney is restricted to certain areas. You can ride freely in privately owned gardens and properties along the beachline (but make sure to seek the owners’ permission first). 

It would also be worth asking whether certain parks and recreation areas permit the use of electric scooters. Begin your inquiry with these great places:

• Campbelltown Bicycle Education & Road Safety Centre
• Three Gorges
• Heffron Pedal Park, Maroubra
• The Bay Run
• Sydney Park Cycling Centre at Sydney Park, St Peters
• Off-Road Tracks

There is no guarantee that these places would allow you to use your personal e-scooter. On the other hand, you can try to check if you can use an authorised shared electric scooter to explore these areas instead.

For what it’s worth, unless e scooters in Sydney become street-legal, the best and safest place to ride is still your own backyard.

Commuting using an escooter in Sydney might not yet be legal, but whether you’re riding in your own backyard or using a hired electric scooter, you need to prioritise keeping yourself and other people safe.

As a rider, you must:

• Wear an approved helmet at all times
• Adhere to speed limits
• Wear brightly coloured clothing for better visibility
• Use electric scooter lights when riding in low-light conditions
• Use signals and indicators to communicate your intentions
• Not ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Ride predictably and give way to pedestrians

Please remember that failure to comply with any of these regulations will incur specific penalties, which are all outlined in NSW’s road safety website.

There is growing optimism that the electric revolution that took place in other Australian cities can also happen to Sydney. 

As Sydney continues its electric scooter trials, it is exciting to see the council take a proactive approach to testing this viable mode of transportation—clearing a path towards the possibility that the city’s stance on e-scooters may soon change. 

While we await the results of these scooter trials, now is an excellent opportunity to begin exploring the world of scootering. Here at Electric Kicks, we have an extensive inventory of electric scooters designed for every rider, no matter your lifestyle or riding skill. 

Also, we do offer free shipping to Sydney on all orders over $199.If this sounds great to you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of electric scooter experts are eager to assist you in choosing the perfect ride that suits all your requirements.

Contact us now to begin your scootering journey.