'Enough is enough': Council moves towards share bike crackdown

Wednesday, 19 March 2025 13:33

A Sydney council has called for "urgent action" to address the issues caused by the share bikes which have become common across the city.

Waverley Council, which covers the eastern suburbs including Bondi, said it is "continuously receiving complaints" about the bikes.

The council said residents are sick of them being "carelessly strewn across footpaths and ridden at dangerous speeds".

Pedestrians walk past e-bikes near the NSW State Library in Sydney.

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said "enough is enough" and if share bike companies don't work out a new agreement with the council, he'll "take swift and immediate action".

While share bikes are a State Government responsibility, councils have the capacity to act on unattended property.

"I am proposing the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with bike share providers, requiring operators to take more responsibility for how shared bikes are used and where they are stored," Nemesh said.

"Although this is a state government policy area, I have made it clear to the operators that if an agreement with council cannot be reached within one month, I will take swift and immediate action.

"Shared micromobility is the way of the future but we must first get the framework set up correctly and ensure community safety comes first."

The council wants rules on the maximum number of bikes allowed, as well as agreements on where they can be parked and how fast they can be ridden.

It would force operators to cover the cost of implementing and enforcing the agreement.

A council motion also included plans for a six-month bike share parking trial from June.

The council wants designated e-bike parking areas set up on footpaths and streets in busy areas like Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach and Bronte Beach.

It would see designated parking areas set up on footpaths and streets in busy areas like Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach and Bronte Beach. 

Nemesh said a solution needs local and state government action.

"We urge the NSW government to implement a state-run tender process for bike share services with clear operational controls," he said.

"We would recommend that a portion of the generated revenue be allocated to local councils for infrastructure and enforcement to allow us to make a difference on the ground."

Share bike trips in Waverley increased 350 per cent between 2021 and 2024, the council said.

Last year, cycling advocates and councillors made fresh calls for more action over e-bikes cluttering pavements in Sydney.

Locals on the Gold Coast also want tighter rules.

People injured by ebikes have also asked for a crackdown, including the family of a tourist and a pregnant woman.

In NSW, permitted electric bikes have an electric motor and battery that assists a rider with pedalling up to 25km/h according to rules.

Petrol-powered bikes, bikes powered by internal combustion or electric engines are illegal.

E-bikes cannot be ridden on a footpath, or "negligently, furiously or recklessly", Transport for NSW rules say, and helmets must always be worn on all bikes.

Police can issue fines to those found breaking the rules.

9news.com.au has contacted Transport for NSW for comment.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.