Micromobility: Licensing and regulating e-scooter and e-bike rental operators

What are e-scooters and e-bikes?

E-scooters and e-bikes are defined by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) as wheeled recreational devices or power-assisted cycles of less than 300 watts in power.

They are:

• regulated by central government
• not classified as a motor vehicle
• not required to be licensed or registered.

The speed limit for e-scooters and e-bikes is the same as the road speed limit in a given area.

See the NZTA website for more information about low-powered vehicles that do not require registration or a driver licence.

E-scooter regulations

NZTA has decided any e-scooter can be ridden on the footpath, shared paths, separated cycle paths and on the road.

A helmet is not legally required but is recommended.

E-bike regulations

Like regular bikes, e-bikes should not be ridden on the footpath, but they can be ridden on shared paths, separated cycle paths and on the road.

A helmet is legally required.

Rental e-scooter, e-bike and bike operators

In Auckland, operators of rental e-scooters, e-bikes or bikes that are parked in public places are also licensed and regulated through the Trading and Events in Public Places bylaw 2015.

The conditions and expectations we have set for this type of business are outlined in the Rental E-scooter Code of Practice and Rental Bike Code of Practice, which are linked to the operator's licence.

Rental e-scooter, e-bike and bike licensing

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport have run a series of trials around the licensing of rental e-scooters in Auckland under our bylaw.

After two trials, we have improved the code of practice and continue to license rental e-scooter schemes under the bylaw.

The council has issued licences for three e-scooter, two e-bike and one bike operator to operate from Auckland's public places from 4 September 2020.

E-scooter operators

• Beam
• Lime (using JUMP branded e-scooters)
• Neuron

E-bike operators

• Beam
• Lime (using JUMP branded e-scooters)

Bike operators:

• Nextbike

You can read more about the licensing process and the updated conditions for operators on OurAuckland.

​Fees to operate a rental e-scooter, e-bike or bike scheme

Apply for a licence to operate a rental e-scooter, e-bike or bike scheme

To apply for a licence to operate a rental scheme:

micromobility@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

To find out more about how we assess applications, read our assessment criteria.  

Report accidents and poorly parked micromobility devices

If you are involved in an accident or near miss with a rental e-scooter, e-bike or bike, or you see an incorrectly parked device, report this to the relevant operator:

Beam:

09 801 0906

teamsupportnz@ridebeam.com

www.ridebeam.com

Lime (including JUMP):

 0800 467 001

 support@li.me

www.li.me

Neuron:

09 303 0344

aucklandsupport@neuron.sg

www.neuron.sg/cities-auckland/

Nextbike:

09 909 9090

nz@nextbike.co.nz

www.nextbike.co.nz

You can also send us an email so that we can follow up on your concerns.

micromobility@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

E-scooter trials

First trial: October 2018 to March 2019

The first trial was between 15 October 2018 and 14 January 2019. The trial was extended until 31 March 2019. Operators Lime and Wave participated in the first trial.

The report 'Rental e-scooter trial 1.0 - Provisional Strategic Evaluation' evaluated this first trial in the context of the strategic objectives for Auckland.

The results found that the outcomes of the first trial were in line with the council and Auckland Transport's goals – particularly around better connecting people, places, goods and services.

Second trial: April to October 2019

The second trial was between 1 April and 31 October 2019 and included updated licence conditions for operators. Lime, Wave and Flamingo participated in this trial.

For more on the second trial, including how we updated the code of practice and introduced slow-speed zones, see OurAuckland.

The report ‘Rental E-scooter Trial 2.0 Evaluation Report’ evaluated the second trial in the context of the Trading and Events in Public Places bylaw 2015 and the strategic objectives for Auckland.

The conclusion of this report was to recommend the continued licensing of rental e-scooter operators under the bylaw with improvements to the code of practice.