E-scooter licences and regulations in Auckland

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport licence rental e-scooter operators to trade from public places under our respective Trading and Events in Public Places bylaws.

What are e-scooters?

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

• They are not classified as a motor vehicle.
• They don't need to be licensed or registered.

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

E-scooter regulations

E-scooters are regulated by central government.

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

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

A helmet is not legally required but is recommended.

In Auckland, operators of rental e-scooters 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, which is linked to the rental e-scooter operator's licence.

Rental e-scooter 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 will continue licensing rental e-scooter schemes under the bylaw.

The council has issued licences for four operators to operate from Auckland’s public places from 3 December 2019 to 3 June 2020:

Beam.
Flamingo.
Jump.
Neuron.

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

Report accidents and poorly parked scooters

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

Beam:

09 801 0973

teamsupportnz@ridebeam.com

www.ridebeam.com

Flamingo:

0800 FLAMINGO (0800 352 646)

hello@flamingoscooters.com

www.flamingoscooters.com

Jump:

0800 005 666

support-nz@jump.com

www.jump.com/nz/en/

Neuron:

+64 9 303 0344
www.neuron.sg/cities-auckland/

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

 escooterprogramme@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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.

Apply for a licence to operate a rental e-scooter scheme

To apply for a licence to operate a rental e-scooter scheme:

escooterprogramme@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz