Media Statement
Minister for Road Safety, Paul Papalia and Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti, this morning announced new legislation for eRideables was expected before Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Proposed new rules are expected to be introduced prior to Christmas. Below are some frequently asked questions.
What is considered an eRideable?
- A small electric rideable device with at least one wheel
- Is less than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
- Is 25kg or less and not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h
What isn't an eRideable?
- eBicycles
- Segways
- Motorised wheelchairs
- Motorised scooters <200w
These devices are already governed by their own regulations under the Road Traffic Code 2000 and are not included in the new eRideable rules.
Where can I ride my eRideable?
- eRideables can be ridden on footpaths, bicycle paths, shared paths and local roads up to 50km/h
- They may be ridden in bicycle lanes, but only on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less
Where can’t I ride my eRideable?
It will be illegal to ride an eRideable on:
- A carriageway with a dividing line
- A carriageway with a speed limit exceeding 50km/h
- A one-way carriageway with more than one marked lane
How fast can I travel on my eRideable?
- eRideables ridden on footpaths will be restricted to 10km/h
- eRideables ridden on bicycle paths, shared paths and local roads can be ridden up to 25km/h
What safety equipment is required in order to be lawful?
- eRiders must wear an approved helmet
- eRiders must have lights and reflectors when riding at night
- Where possible, a bell or other warning device must be fitted to the eRideable
Can I use my mobile phone?
- eRiders must not touch or use a mobile phone when riding
Drink and drug driving
- eRiders must maintain proper control of an eRideable device at all times and are subject to the same drink and drug driving laws as motor vehicle drivers
Minimum age
- eRiders must be at least 16 years of age
- Children under 16 will still be permitted to ride low-powered eScooters which do not exceed 200w or 10km/h
What happens if I have an existing eRideable that doesn’t meet new regulations?
If you have a device/vehicle which falls outside of the eRideable dimensions (125cm long, 70cm wide, 135cm high, more than 25kg and capable of travelling faster than 25km/h) the device/vehicle is a motor vehicle that must not be ridden on public roads and paths unless the vehicle is registered, and the rider is licenced.
How to share the road with other road users
Making every journey safe is up to all Western Australians whether you’re walking, cycling, driving, or riding. As an eRider you need to be mindful and respectful of all path users by:
- Complying with speed restrictions
- Giving way to pedestrians
- Keeping left unless overtaking
- Use a bell or verbal warning when approaching pedestrians or other path users
- Ensuring lights and reflectors are used when riding at night
- Not carrying animals or additional people on your device
What to look for when buying an eRideable
If you’re considering buying an eRideable, please ensure it is compliant with the new regulations:
- Less than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
- 25kg or less and not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h
- No sharp protrusions
Were the community consulted about the new rules?
The Road Safety Commission engaged with the community and eRiders about the eRideable regulatory framework via public surveys in April and August 2021. Participants were asked a number of questions around proposed safety measures, speed, age restrictions, device use areas and captured valuable information about eRider demographics and behaviours. The results of the rider survey and community survey can be found on the Commission’s engagement platform, Community Connect.
Where can I get more information?
Specific information surrounding the new rules is not available until the legislation has been passed. Please check our website for updates prior to Christmas. If you have general information around eRideables, please contact us via email.
