The NSW Government has moved to act on e-scooters and e-bikes with improved safety initiatives, better clarity on rules and the commitment to education and road safety campaigns, in their response to last year's NSW Parliamentary Inquiry on the issue. 

Our community will welcome the NSW Government speed limits on e-scooters, the review of NSW Road Rules and commitment to investment in infrastructure. 

We are also encouraged to see a commitment to boosting both rider and driver education, including to the Driver Knowledge test and in-school education. 

However, we are concerned about lack of regulation on the speed of e-bikes on footpaths and shared paths. The rule that allows a 12-year-old on a fat bike to ride at the same speed on the footpath as on the road next to it remains in place - an ongoing safety risk for pedestrians.

And the Government response lacks detail on how Transport for NSW and NSW Police will work to improve enforcing the regulations to ensure they are effective.  

Council will continue advocacy on these key safety issues. 

Here on the Beaches, we have led the way in calling for better e-bike regulation and education, responding to the explosion of e-bike use in our area and the significant safety concerns raised by our community. 

The first e-bike education campaign of its kind in Australia was developed and run on the Northern Beaches. Check out the  “Know the Code” campaign and follow the code: 

• Slow down to walking pace when others are on the path 
• Ring your bell and call ‘on your right’ to let others know you’re approaching 
• Be ready for sudden changes – people, pets and prams can be unpredictable