What are the rules for e-scooters and e-bikes?

Getting from A to B on an e-scooter or e-bike is an increasingly popular option for many Australians, with teens enjoying the ability to visit friends and explore their home turf on their own wheels, and workers keen to ease the dreaded daily commute. In NSW alone there are now an estimated 1.35 million micromobility devices, at least half of which are used to connect with public transport. 

E-scooters and e-bikes not only make our lives easier, they also help reduce fuel costs and the emissions. In Sydney, the NSW government estimates that a third of trips on e-scooters and e-bikes replace car trips. The number is even greater in regional NSW, where almost half of the trips on personal mobility devices replace car trips.

Because personal mobility trips often share public space with pedestrians, however, states have introduced rules around their use to reduce accidents. The Victorian government estimates that 1000 people a year are admitted to hospital because of e-scooter-related injuries. The rules vary by state, so it’s important to understand how and where you can ride your e-bike or e-scooter. Here’s a breakdown of the rules for e-scooters and e-bikes from state to state. 

What is an e-scooter? 

E-scooters fall under the umbrella of 'personal mobility devices', which can also include electric-powered skateboards and unicycles. They are designed for use by one person only (unlike bicycles which sometimes have two seats). Unlike bicycles, there are usually age limits for riding e-scooters. As with bicycles, riders of e-scooters must wear an approved bicycle helmet, have a bell or horn to warn pedestrians, and a light if riding at night. Likewise, mobile phone use while riding is not permitted.

What is an e-bike?

Generally, there are two types of e-bikes: pedal-assist e-bikes and more powerful electric pedal-assist cycles (also known by lawmakers are EPACS.) The former generally applies to bicycles with a small motor that assists in pedalling only (they are also referred to as 'throttle-assist' e-bikes). More common these days are the EPACs, which use motorised power to propel the bicycle without pedalling. Some states specify that an EPAC must be a 'pedelec' that complies with the European Standard EN 15194. 

Rules around an e-bike’s motor output and cut-out speed determine whether it is legally classed as a bicycle. In Australia, throttle-assist e-bikes are capped at 200 watts, while pedelecs/EPACs have a maximum continuous output of up to 250 watts and the motor must cut out at 25km/h. Anything more powerful is no longer considered an e-bike under the law and is instead treated as a motor vehicle, requiring registration, insurance, and a rider licence.

What are the rules for e-scooters?

E-scooter rules in NSW

E-scooters became legal in public spaces in August 2025. Not permitted on footpaths.

• Where: On shared paths, bike lanes, and roads with a max speed limit of 50km/h
• Speed limit: 20km/h (10km/h on shared paths)
• Age: 16+

Find out more: NSW Transport – e-scooters; NSW Legislation

E-scooter rules in Victoria

Victoria permits e-scooters on most roads and paths, but not footpaths.

• Where: On roads with a max speed limit of 60km/h, as well as bicycle lanes, shared and separated bike paths
• Speed: 20km/h (device must not be able to go faster than 25km/h)Age: 16+

Find out more: VicRoads – e-scooters

E-scooter rules in Queensland

Queensland allows e-scooters on footpaths and some roads.

• Where: On footpaths, shared/bike paths, and local roads with a max speed limit of 50km/h and no centre line
• Speed limit: 12km/h on footpaths, 25km/h elsewhere
• Age: Minimum 12 (supervision until 16)

Find out more: QLD – PMDs

E-scooter rules in the ACT 

ACT allows e-scooters on paths but largely bans road use.

• Where: On footpaths and shared/bike paths
• Speed limit: 15km/h on footpaths, 25km/h elsewhere
• Roads: Only on short safe connections if no path or nature strip is available
• Age: No limit, but under-12s must be supervised

Find out more: Transport ACT – e-scooters

E-scooter rules in South Australia

SA legalised e-scooters in July 2025. Where: On footpaths, bicycle paths and bike lanes, and local roads with a max speed limit of 60km/h

• Speed limit: 10km/h on footpaths, 25km/h elsewhere
• Age: 16+

Find out more: SA – Personal Mobility Devices

E-scooter rules in Tasmania

Tasmania permits e-scooters on paths and selected roads.

• Where: On footpaths, shared/bike paths, and some local roads with a max speed limit of 50km/h
• Speed limit: 15km/h on footpaths, 25km/h elsewhere
• Age: 16+ (children under 16 restricted to ≤200W, ≤10km/h devices)

Find out more: Tas Transport – PMDs

E-scooter rules in Western Australia

WA permits e-scooters on paths and selected roads.

• Where: On footpaths, shared/bike paths, bike lanes, and local roads with a max speed of 50km/h
• Speed limit: 10km/h on footpaths, 25km/h elsewhere
• Age: 16+

Find out more: WA – eRideables

E-scooter rules in Northern Territory

Only Beam Mobility hire e-scooters are allowed in NT. Private e-scooters are banned in public spaces.

• Where: On footpaths, shared paths, bicycle lanes
• Speed limit: 15km/h
• Age: 18+ 

Find out more: NT – e-scooters and bikes

Where can I ride my e-bike?

Rules for e-bikes are largely the same across all states except for some minor differences.

E-bike rules in NSW

• Types: ≤200W auxiliary-motor, or EPAC up to 500W
• Cut-out: 25km/h when pedalling, 6km/h if not pedalling
• Where: same as bicycles (roads, bike lanes, shared paths)
• Age: not specified

Find out more: NSW – e-bikes

E-bike rules in Victoria

• Types: 200W throttle, or 250W pedelec EN15194
• Cut-out: 25km/h
• Where: same as bicycles
• Age: not specified

Find out more: Vic – e-bikes

E-bike rules in Queensland

• Types: 200W throttle, or 250W pedelec EN15194
• Cut-out: 25km/h
• Where: same as bicycles
• Age: not specified

Find out more: QLD – e-bikes

E-bike rules in the ACT

• Types: ≤200W auxiliary motor, or 250W EPAC
• Cut-out: not specified
• Where: same as bicycles (not on roads marked 'no bicycles’)
• Age: not specified

Find out more: ACT – cycling

E-bike rules in South Australia

• Types: 200W throttle, or 250W pedelec EN15194
• Cut-out: 25km/h
• Where: same as bicycles
• Age: not specified

Find out more: SA – power-assisted bicycles

E-bike rules in Tasmania

• Types: 200W throttle, or 250W pedelec EN15194
• Cut-out: 25km/h or when not pedalling
• Where: same as bicycles
• Age: not specified

Find out more: Tas – e-bikes

E-bike rules in Western Australia

• Types: pedal-assist only, 250W max motor
• Cut-out: not specified
• Where: same as bicycles
• Age: 16+

Find out more: WA – cyclists

E-bike rules in Northern Territory

• Types: treated as bicycles (no wattage specified)
• Cut-out: not specified
• Where: same as bicycles
• Age: not specified

Find out more: NT – e-scooters and bikes

Summary

Rules for e-scooters and e-bikes differ significantly depending on which state or territory you’re in. Broadly, e-scooters are legal to ride on paths and some roads in most jurisdictions, but restrictions vary on speed, age and whether footpaths are included. Victoria and NSW keep them off footpaths, while Queensland, Tasmania, WA and the ACT allow them there at low speeds. South Australia only legalised them in mid-2025, and the Northern Territory continues to limit them to hire schemes.

By contrast, e-bike regulations are more consistent nationwide. Every state recognises two main categories: 200-watt throttle-assist bikes and 250-watt pedal-assist (pedelec) bikes. Most require the motor to cut out at 25km/h, though NSW also permits a higher 500-watt class under certain conditions. Age restrictions are rare, with only WA explicitly setting a 16+ minimum.

In short, if you’re on an e-bike, rules are fairly uniform. But if you’re riding an e-scooter, what’s legal in Brisbane or Hobart might earn you a fine in Sydney. Checking the rules where you ride an e-scooter or e-bike is essential before setting off.