Sydney’s Bikefurcation Point for Green Mobility
The City of Sydney’s decision to watch and wait another 12–18 months before considering electric scooters is a vote for bureaucratic risk aversion.
By Stephen Coulter, Co-Founder of Zipidi Micromobility
Over 650 cities worldwide have been operating shared eScooters and eBikes for 4+ years — how much waiting and watching is required!
We estimate around 10,000 privately owned electric scooters are already owned and being used in the City of Sydney — without dire consequences!
In my banking days, we looked at “bifurcation points” — put simply, when business growth is flattening, you need to jump to a new curve for more significant change. NAB was one of the best banks in the world in the 1990s and drove its market capitalisation from $4 billion to $35 billion by managing opportunity, change management and risk as well or better than any bank in the world.
Sydney’s “bikefurcation” point is whether it is prepared to step into the future and support new green sustainable transport or slip back to the twentieth-century automobile dominant model.
Providing a range of sustainable transport options is key to encouraging people out of cars and using better transport options.
Sydney is at risk of slipping from its claimed leadership position, and this regressive move tarnishes its “green” credentials. Melbourne has shown in six months the impact of electric scooters. More than 1.2 million rides, more than 99.99% of rides without incidence and 84% in bike lanes, shared paths and other bike-friendly areas — on and off roads.
If Councillor Chan is concerned about vulnerable users' safety, he should focus on cars, not scooters. Leading cities are reallocating car space to community, pedestrians and active transport. Sydney appears to be voting for cars ahead of people.
If scooters are dangerous, shouldn't bikes be banned as well?
Results worldwide show the popularity of electric scooters and their influence on driving better infrastructure for all types of vulnerable users — cyclists, pedestrians, and others. The fun factor cannot be underestimated in getting people out of cars and onto a better, more sustainable form of transport.
- In shared mobility cities with eBikes and eScooters, the scooter rides often outnumber bike rides by 15 to 1 or more. The fun factor gets more people using active transport.
- In countries where privately owned eScooters are legal, they outsell eBikes with incremental sales. eScooters have outgrown eBike sales in France. Bike sales have grown significantly — showing that eScooter growth is incremental on top of an already healthy eBike market.
Sydney needs to step up and lead the NSW eScooter trials. Trials are learning opportunities — not a reason for avoidance.
- The learnings from 650 cities over five years can quickly be adopted in Sydney — Melbourne’s rules will work fine.
- Sydney is the central hub for public transport from other LGAs that will be conducting trials. A trial without being able to complete journeys in the CBD will not be indicative of real-world outcomes.
- Privately-owned eScooters are expected to be legal in NSW before Christmas. Sydney will lose the opportunity for a controlled trial before privately-owned eScooters rapidly increase in numbers.
TfNSW now has an informed and progressive Minister for Active Transport, making good decisions and supporting LGAs to embrace electric scooters and other forms of new mobility with the State’s support.
It's time for the City of Sydney to stand up and participate in and learn from the NSW electric scooter trials.
