NSW will launch an e-scooter trial before the end of the year in select council areas.
Transport officials told a budget estimates hearing the trial should begin by spring and will be held in “three or four” council areas, both in larger cities and in the regions.
The trial is aimed at finding out whether there is a safe way to allow e-scooters in the state.
The vehicles are currently banned unless operated on private land.
“At this point in time, we're looking at potentially three to four councils (that would take part in the trial) but as I don’t have written confirmation from them, I don’t want to commit to exactly who they are yet, but certainly in the second half of the year,” Transport for NSW deputy secretary Kiersten Fishburn said.
Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes acknowledged there were risks involved in allowing the scooters, which have been associated with littering and accidents in places where they’re allowed.
“(We’re) taking our time to make sure we get the regulation right because there are a number of risks as there are with any new tranxjmtzywsport technology,” Mr Stokes said.
The trial will only look at scooters and not at other electric vehicles such as motorised skateboards.
Officials would not reveal which councils had been approached to take part but said the trial would likely be held in “a number of CBD councils and certainly a regional council”.
Transport for NSW will be studying the outcomes of similar trials in the Queensland communities of Rockhampton, Townsville and Bundaberg, Launceston in Tasmania, as well as Ballarat in Victoria where a test is ongoing.
“They’re interesting trial sites and I'm sure we can find something comparable in NSW and replicate it,” Ms Fishburn said.
