E-scooters, e-skateboards, onewheels: Push to legalise in NSW

Nurses using e-scooters to avoid the nightmare of hospital parking have joined the chorus to have the mode of transport legalised.

Hard working nurses who just want to get to and from work without having to pay often exorbitant fees for crowded hospital carparks are among those being stung by NSW’s e-scooter ban.

E-scooters, electric skateboards and onewheels have become increasingly popular, especially in Sydney’s east, south east and inner city where congestion and the frequency and reliability of public transport remain an ongoing battle.

Currently these modes of e-transport can only be ridden legally on private property in NSW, with police put in the difficult position of using their own discretion on whether to issue tickets.

Sydney nurse Max Sippel said electric personal transport was vital for his work at a hospital, where parking is sparse and expensive.

“I don’t have a lot of money as a young worker, riding the electric skateboard gives me freedom and independence,” Mr Sippel said.

“It means I can go to work, especially for night shift much more easily.”

Coogee MP Dr Marjorie O’Neill, Max Sippel, Zack Casimatis, Charly Torok and NSW Labor’s active transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen.

Coogee MP Marjorie O’Neill was concerned when a number of nurses from her eastern suburbs electorate contacted her worried they may get fined.

“We’re talking about our nurses. We know Prince of Wales hospital doesn’t have any new parking and yet our nurses, our doctors, our cooks, cleaners, porters – they all need a way to get to and from work,” Dr O’Neill said.

“The fact you are able to lawfully purchase them (e-scooters), I’m sure there are people everywhere that have no idea they are unlawful.

“This idea of who is the kind of person who rides a skateboard as a grungy, indie person … these are professional people who want to use a mode of transport which is fun, green and clean.”

Coogee MP Dr Marjorie O'Neill tries out a one wheel.

Mr Sippels said the potential penalties for e-scooter and electric skateboard users were harsh and unreasonable.

“It’s disappointing that simply going to work is potentially met with such harsh penalties,” Mr Sippels said.

“Instead of capping the power on the scooters, we could have speed limits like 10km/h on the footpath and 20km/h in the bike lane – speaking to people about it, they seem to agree that’s pretty fair.”

Labor active transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen. Picture: Gaye Gerard

NSW Labor’s active transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen agrees and together with Dr O’Neill she met the group of concerned e-transport users.

Ms Haylen said e-scooters are already part of the transport mix in NSW and we need to make sure everyone can ride them in a way that is safe.

“E-scooters are a game-changer and will reduce cars on our roads and even take pressure off public transport but the Liberal Government simply refuses to do the work to regulate them,” Ms Haylen said.

“We need a trial now to end the confusion and find the best way keep e-scooter riders, pedestrians and all road users safe.”

NSW Transport minister Andrew Constance. Picture: Christian Gilles

A spokeswoman for NSW transport minister Andrew Constance said the MP had not diverged from his opposition to a personal electric vehicle trial.

Speaking to NCA Newswire in February, Mr Constance described the scooters as a dangerous nuisance.

“I’m not in the mood for running e-scooter trials in a time like this,” Mr Constance said at the time.

“And I’m certainly not in the mood for seeing e-scooters littering the streets, people doing silly things (with them),” Mr Constance said.

Kogarah state Labor MP and Labor transport spokesman Chris Minns. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Kogarah state Labor MP Chris Minns described Mr Constance’s decision as “lazy” and instead called for an electric scooter trial in his electorate, centred on St George Hospital.

“The NSW Government has cut free parking for hospital workers and is forcing them to pay $1000 a year to park at work,” Mr Minns said.

“Nurses, medical professionals and other hospital staff could be offered the chance to voluntarily participate in a trial.”

Mr Minns said a proper trial would determine how e-scooters could be used safely in the community.

“Electric scooters could provide a way for hospital employees to get to and from work and public transport connections now that their free parking has been cut,” Mr Minns said.

“Electric scooters are already popular with many nurses and hospital staff as they are cheap and easy to use.”