FAQs

The technical term is 'Personal Mobility Device' or PMD but we find the term 'E-Rideable' to be a bit more community friendly. 

Examples of these devices are electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric unicycles, self balancing wheels, hoverboards, electric skates etc which fit within particular size and weight parameters. 

Under the new framework, low powered scooters will still be considered 'motorised scooters', and anything above 200 Watts will be considered an E-Rideable device. Motorised scooters, Electric Bikes, Motorised wheelchairs and Electric Personal Transporters (like Segways) will not be included in the E-Rideable framework as these devices are already regulated under WA road rules. 

Additionally, 'wheeled recreational devices' like push skateboards, push scooters or non-powered roller-skates/blades are also not be included in this framework. 

Currently, only devices known as 'motorised scooters' which are very low powered (200 Watts or less) and speed limited to 10km/h are considered legal. Anything over that power output, or capable of travelling faster than 10km/h is likely to be considered an unlicensed motor vehicle. 

There are a few rules which currently apply to 'motorised scooters':

• Riders are permitted on footpaths and shared paths 
• Riders must keep left and give way to pedestrians also using the paths.
• Riders must wear a helmet.

Motorised scooters cannot be ridden:

• On roads with a speed limit exceeding 50km/h;
• On roads with a dividing line or median strip;
• On one way roads with more than one marked lane; or
• During the hours of darkness.

Other types of E-Rideable devices currently require licenses, and therefore cannot be used legally on WA roads and paths without a license. 

As you'll be aware, electric scooters, electric skateboards, self balancing wheels and similar devices have become very popular, more available and more affordable in recent years.

We recognize that times are changing and the road rules in WA need to catch up to the rapidly evolving technology we're seeing out on our roads and paths.

We are seeking community feedback about aspects of the proposed regulatory framework for E-Rideable devices in Western Australia. We are eager to get the perspectives of all road users as these devices are being considered for legal use on a range of public infrastructure, and we want everyone to feel safe and protected in these mixed user environments. 

Your feedback will be considered towards drafting of the regulations and assist us in understanding the level of community support and sentiment around those proposed regulations. This process will also allow us to identify whether we should be exploring other complementary regimes, help us design further reviews and shape the associated policy to be developed.

The consultation further provides opportunities for the community:

• to contribute ideas about implementing the framework
• to raise any matters or concerns that we should be cognisant of during the development process
• to guide how we communicate with the community on these issues.

E-Rideable users were given background about developing an E-Rideable framework and asked to complete a survey about how they use their E-Rideable device. The following questions were asked in the 'You and your device' survey through either multi-choice, checkbox, free text or ranking response options:

•  Do you currently use an e-Rideable, have you used one previously, or do you plan on using one in the future? 
• What kind of e-Rideable(s) do you use?
• Do you know the power output of your device?
• If you currently own an e-Rideable, how many do you own?   
• How frequently do you use your device?
• Do you know approximately how many kilometres you would ride per week?
• Where do you use, or intend to use, your device? 
• Where do you feel most comfortable using your device?
• For what purpose do you use an e-Rideable?
• What were you using for equivalent transport before getting an e-Rideable?
• What is or was your motivation for using an e-Rideable?   
• Are there any barriers to e-Rideable use?
• When are you typically using your device?  
• Do you currently wear a helmet when using your device?
• Do you consider protective gear or clothing (other than a helmet) when using your device?
• Are you aware of the current rules around use of e-Rideables?  
• How confident do you feel about using your device?
• Have you had any bad experiences while using an e-Rideable yourself, or in an encounter with someone else using one?

A mapping tool was also available for riders to drop pins in WA in areas that are either working well for E-Rideable users, or that need improvement. 

You can visit the consultation page for the E-Rideable user survey to read supporting information, look at the mapping tool. check out the FAQs, and read the survey responses here.

Electric bikes are already governed by their own rules, regulations and standards in Western Australia.

Regulations specifically about what bicycles can and cannot do on public infrastructure are covered under Part 15 of the Road Traffic Code 2000. 

For an electric bike to be legal it must:
1. Comply with both the definition of a bicycle as it's set out in the Road Traffic Code 2000
2. Comply with the definition of a Power assisted pedal cycle under the Road Traffic (Administration) Regulations 2014

The Road Traffic Code 2000 definition of a bicycle:

bicycle means a vehicle with 2 or more wheels that is built to be propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears (whether or not it has an auxiliary motor) and —
(a) includes a pedicab, penny-farthing, tricycle and power assisted pedal cycle; but
 (b) does not include a wheelchair, wheeled recreational device, wheeled toy or any vehicle (other than a power assisted pedal cycle) with an auxiliary motor capable of generating a power output over 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating);

Electric bikes which exceed the maximum power output set out in the Road Traffic (Administration) Regulations 2014 would likely be considered an unlicensed motor vehicle and are not legal for use on public infrastructure. That requirement is: 

4. Power assisted pedal cycles 
(1) In this regulation —
pedalec means a vehicle that meets the standard of the European Committee for Standardization entitled EN 15194:2009 or EN 15194:2009+A1:2011 Cycles — Electrically power assisted cycles — EPAC Bicycles.
(2) For the definition of power assisted pedal cycle in section 4, the amount of power is —
(a) for a pedalec — 250 W; and
 (b) for any other kind of power assisted pedal cycle — 200 W.

where
power assisted pedal cycle means a vehicle-
(a) designed to be propelled through a mechanism operated solely by human power; and
 (b) to which is attached one or more auxiliary propulsion motors having a combined maximum output not exceeding the amount of power prescribed for the purposes of this definition.

Electric Personal Transporters/EPTs (often synonymous with the brand Segway) are already governed by their own rules, regulations and standards under WA legislation and will not be included in the E-Rideable device framework.

Given the size and weight of EPTs as well as the level of skill, coordination and experience required to use them safely around other road users, EPTs are only permitted to be operated:

• at 10km/h 
• in designated use areas
• as part of a supervised tour
• when coordinated by an approved commercial operator
• when riders are monitored for compliance while in use 

Motorised scooters are already regulated under the Road Traffic Code 2000, and will be retained as a lower powered device which can be used under different conditions to higher powered devices which fall within the E-Rideable framework.

These are the conditions under which they can be used currently:

• Must not have a power output exceeding 200 Watts
• Must not be capable of travelling faster than 10km/h on ground level
• Not permitted for use at night
• Helmets must be worn while in use 
• Not permitted for use: on roads with a speed limit over 50km/h; on a carriageway with a dividing line or median strip; or on a one-way carriageway with more than one marked lane