Council urged to take part in e-scooter trial

Long Jetty businessman Peter Speir believes speeding e-scooters using the Tuggerah Lakes shared pathway are a “disaster waiting to happen”.

Currently it is illegal to ride an e-scooter anywhere in NSW unless it’s in one of the six trial areas being run by Transport for NSW in conjunction with councils, or on private property.

With the final stage of the Magenta shared pathway now open, pedestrians and cyclists can ride/walk from The Entrance to Toukley as part of the Tuggerah Lakes loop under Central Coast Council’s Bike Plan.

As director of Thriv-E Sales and Hire Service Centre, Speir has applied to Central Coast Council to consider entering an e-scooter trial in conjunction with his business and Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

Transport for NSW has been enabling local councils to run e-scooter trials across NSW since 2022.

Councils and local road authorities need to apply to run a trial, and TfNSW needs to declare selected roads or areas as an Electric Scooter Use Area under NSW road rules before a trial can start.

This makes it legal for people to ride shared e-scooters in these designated trial areas.

While Speir admits to having a vested interest, he said he was genuinely concerned a pathway user would be seriously hurt or worse by a speeding e-scooter, and that the Central Coast was missing out on tourism opportunities.

His company has invested in Pathway Smart Safety Light (PSSL) technology, a system that allows real-time e-scooter monitoring of pathway use, controls speed and deters dangerous behaviour.

“This software is designed to enhance safety on shared pathways and the monitoring is a requirement of the e-scooter trial pack,” he said.

“It is designed to help create a safe environment that benefits everyone in the community in the long run.

“E-scooters can reach speeds of over 50km an hour and no-one is monitoring them.

“The police can’t do anything about it.

“No-one is regulating their use, and I really do believe it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or worse.”

The Council has told Speir it had reviewed the opportunity to be involved in a trial but was unsuccessful in getting funding to carry out supporting road safety reviews and other requirements to participate.

“We cannot believe we have been shut down by our local Council to participate in a NSW Transport e-scooter trial pack, where we would be required to monitor shared e-scooters within a dedicated trial zone,” Speir said.

“It’s such a cool pathway, the Council has spent all that money building it but is not prepared to open it up to everyone.

“I firmly believe that the absence of e-scooters on shared pathways is akin to saying “no boarders” at a ski resort – it overlooks a potential market and the economic growth it can bring.”

He said the RMS-approved Pathway Smart Safety Light technology would allow the business to monitor and manage pathway use in real time, helping ensure a safe and responsible experience for all users.

“By integrating monitored zones and user information, we can create a safer pathway, setting a national example for safe, inclusive pathway use,” Speir said.

“This system will actively deter law-breaking and speeding within the monitored zones, creating a secure and appealing environment for all pathway users, which in turn will boost tourism appeal for families and youth alike.

“This solution will benefit all users of the pathway, regardless of e-scooter integration, especially given the current presence of illegal riders travelling at high speeds, often well over the 50km/h road limit.

“By implementing these measures, we can prevent dangerous behaviour and promote a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Speir has been informed that Council is also waiting for a state-level regulatory framework before taking any action.

“While I understand the need for regulations, this stance risks leaving the Central Coast behind other regions, which are already capitalising on tourism and economic opportunities linked to e-scooter use,” he said.

“We have the infrastructure in place now, so why are we not using it to its full potential?

“E-scooters are the future, and a monitored, safety-focused trial – conducted in collaboration with local transport and ambulance authorities – would show the rest of Australia how to implement shared pathways responsibly and inclusively.

“The Tuggerah Lakes pathway was built to revitalise our community.

“Without action, its potential will be wasted, and its users endangered.

“I urge the Council to step up, take responsibility, and adopt forward-thinking solutions that ensure safety while embracing innovation.”

A Council spokesperson said Council reviewed the opportunity to be involved in a trial, which included submitting an expression of interest to participate in the original e-scooter trial, but was unsuccessful in attracting funding to carry out the trial, which also included undertaking supporting road safety reviews and other requirements to participate.

She said Council was always open to alternate transport modes, and carefully considered any opportunity to be involved in trials of this nature and Council officers had been monitoring the trials being undertaken.

“Council was aware that the government was intending to develop new laws in relation to legalisation and use of e-scooters, and would prefer to wait until such new laws are in place, rather than seek to undertake a new trial.

“Council has been receiving numerous complaints about e-scooter use, including safety aspects to both riders and other road and pedestrian traffic, and is looking forward to the release of the new laws to regulate e-scooter use in a safe manner,” the spokesperson said.