eRideables

Technology is changing rapidly and so is our urban landscape. More people are using eScooters and other electric rideable devices for commuting and recreational purposes. Learn the rules that keep eRiders and other West Australian road users safe.
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What’s an eRideable?

An eRideable is an electric rideable device, such as a scooter, skateboard or other vehicle, that:

  • has at least one wheel
  • is designed to be used by only one person
  • is no more than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
  • is 25kg or less
  • is not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h on level ground.

There is no restriction on power output for eRideables as long as it is compliant with the speed, size and weight limits outlined above. However, the 200w limit still applies to children (under the age of 16) riding low-powered motorised scooters.

What’s not an eRideable?

  • an eBike or power assisted pedal cycle
  • an electric personal transporter (eg. Segway)
  • a motorised wheelchair or mobility scooter
  • motorised scooters 200w or less with a top speed of 10 km/h.

These devices are already governed by their own regulations under the Road Traffic Code 2000 and are not included in the eRideable rules.

skateboards, escooters, and e-skates are erideables, while an ebike is not.

What if I have a device that doesn't meet the rules?

If you have a device which falls outside of the eRideable specifications (125cm long, 70cm wide, 135cm high, 25kg and capable of travelling faster than 25km/h) it may not be ridden on WA roads and paths.

Are there any age restrictions?

Only people aged 16 or over are permitted to use eRideables.

Children under 16 are not permitted to ride devices that can go faster than 10km/h.

Children under 16 can ride low-powered electric scooters which do not exceed 200w or 10km/h. These motorised scooters are not considered eRideables and are governed by their own regulations under Road Traffic Code 2000.

Under-16s are only allowed to use eRideables on private property and places that aren’t public roads or paths.

Where to ride your eRideable

eRideables can be ridden on:

  • footpaths, bicycle paths and shared paths
  • roads where there are no dividing lines AND the speed limit is 50 km/h or less
  • bicycle lanes (on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less).

Pedestrian crossings

eRiders and cyclists no longer need to dismount at pedestrian crossings and can simply ride across. This rule applies when the rider enters the crossing from the connected path and not the road. Riders must not exceed 10km/h and must give way to pedestrians when riding over the crossing.

Where can’t I ride?

It is illegal to ride on:

  • roads with a dividing line
  • roads where the speed limit is more than 50km/h
  • any path designated ‘no wheeled devices’
  • any path or road where a ‘no bicycle’ sign or marking applies.

When using a separated path, eRideables should use the bicycle part. It is illegal to ride in the section marked for pedestrians.

Road rules and safety for eRideables

One person per device and helmets required on erideables

Keep to the speed limit

On footpaths, keep to 10km/h or less. On bicycle paths, shared paths and local roads eRideables can be ridden up to 25km/h where safe. Always ride to the conditions and slow down where there’s congestion, before turning corners and when passing pedestrians.

At pedestrian crossings, you no longer need to dismount and can ride across. Your speed on pedestrian crossings must not exceed 10km/h. Always give way to pedestrians.

Speed Limits for eRideables

Location Speed Limit
Footpaths 10 km/h
Bicycle paths and shared paths 25 km/h
Local roads 25 km/h
Pedestrian crossings 10 km/h

 

See ‘Where to ride your eRideable’ for more information on where you can and can’t ride.

One person per device

Never carry passengers or animals on your eRideable.

Wear a helmet

Remember to wear your helmet. Any approved bicycle, skateboard or motorcycle helmet can be worn when riding an eRideable. Make sure any helmet you purchase complies with the current Australian Standard (AS/NZS 2063) by looking for any of the following stickers:

Australian standard stickers for approved motorcycle and bicycle helmets

Be visible and let others know you’re there

  • Use lights and reflectors when riding at night
  • Where possible, a bell or other warning device must be fitted to the eRideable and sounded when approaching pedestrians.
  • If fitting a bell onto a device isn't possible, say if your device is an eSkateboard, then use a verbal warning to pedestrians and other path users to let them know you are approaching.

Hands on the wheel, not on your phone

Always have at least one hand on the handlebars (if fitted). Don’t be distracted by your mobile phone – the same rules apply to eRideables as to bikes, motorcycles and cars.

eRiders may not hold a mobile phone in their hand while riding. If the phone is secured in a mounting affixed to the eRideable, the rider may:

  • touch it to make or receive an audio call
  • make or receive an audio call without touching it
  • use it as a driver’s aid (e.g. navigation, vehicle monitoring including speed monitoring) without touching it.

If the phone is attached to the rider’s arm (not hand), the rider may:

  • make or receive an audio call without touching it
  • use it as a driver’s aid (e.g. navigation, vehicle monitoring including speed monitoring) without touching it.

If the phone is not secured to the riders arm or in a mounting affixed to the vehicle, the rider may still use it to make or receive a call, provided they do not touch it to do so.

For more information, visit our Mobile phones and distractions page.

Don’t drink and ride

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.

Give cars plenty of space

If you’re riding on a local road, make sure there’s at least 2 metres between you and the rear of any motor vehicle.

Never attach yourself to, or allow yourself to be pulled along by, any other vehicle.

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
  • using a bell or verbal warning before overtaking pedestrians or other path users
  • slowing down before passing pedestrians
  • ensuring lights and reflectors are used when riding at night
  • not carrying animals or additional people on your device
  • using hand signals to indicate your intentions to other road users when turning
  • if you’re riding in a group, riding single file
  • never leaving your eRideable on the road or path to become an obstruction to other users - put it away somewhere safe.

What to look for when buying an eRideable

If you’re considering buying an eRideable, please ensure it is compliant with the regulations:

  • no more than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
  • 25kg or less
  • not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h on level ground
  • no sharp protrusions.

Offences and penalties

Please note: eRideables are classed as vehicles, so all road laws that apply to vehicles apply to riders as well, unless they are expressly excluded.

eRideable riders share the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and must obey the road rules. The following penalties apply to eRideable riders specifically.

eRideable offences Infringement
Exceed the speed limit of 25km/h on a carriageway, bicycle path or shared path $100
Exceed the speed limit of 10km/h on a footpath $100
Failure to wear helmet $50
A child under 16 years of age rides an eRideable $50
Unlawful use of visual display unit while riding $300
Unlawful use of mobile phone while riding $500-$1000
Carrying a passenger or animal $50
Riding recklessly or while impaired by drugs/alcohol $100
Riding on a carriageway with a speed limit exceeding 50km/h $100 ($500 if speed limit exceeds 70km/h)

Riding on a carriageway with a dividing line or median strip
$100
Riding on a one-way carriageway with more than one marked lane $100
Failure to have working warning device (unless device design makes this impractical) $100
Failure to have correct lighting and reflectors during darkness/hazardous weather $100
Failure to ride with at least one hand on the handlebars (if fitted) $50

On a path:

  • riding alongside another eRideable or bicycle (unless overtaking);
  • failure to keep left;
  • failure to give way to pedestrians;
  • riding on a section to which a “no bicycles” sign or road marking applies.
$50

On a children’s crossing, marked foot crossing or pedestrian crossing, failure to:

  • enter the crossing from the path connected to it;
  • travel 10km/h or less;
  • keep to the left;
  • give way to pedestrians.
$50
Allowing device to be attached to, or drawn by, another vehicle
 
$100

Riding on a section of a carriageway to which a “no wheeled devices” sign or “no bicycles” sign or road marking applies.

$50
Riding less than 2 metres behind a vehicle $100
Passing on the left of a vehicle that is turning left $100
Riding a device with sharp protrusions $100
Ride alongside two or more eRideables on a single carriageway (unless overtaking) $50
Failure to keep 1.5m or less between riders when riding two abreast on a single carriageway $50
Failure to use bicycle lane (where available) on a carriageway $50