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Shared e-bikes

^{Image: credit Lime}

Waverley’s People, Movement and Places transport vision encourages and prioritises walking, cycling and public transport. Supporting these options helps reduce traffic congestion and environmental impacts across our community.

Shared e-bikes have become a popular and environmentally friendly way to travel locally. In Sydney, shared bikes are typically electric and dockless – meaning they are not locked into a fixed dock.

What are shared bikes?

Shared bikes are bicycles made available for short-term hire through a mobile app. Users unlock the bike via the app, ride to their destination, and park it legally at the end of their trip.

Shared bikes are increasingly popular in Waverley, with around one million trips taken in 2025. They provide a convenient, affordable and low-emissions transport option for residents and visitors.

Shared bike operators in Waverley

Shared bikes are owned and operated by private companies. They are not owned or managed by Council.

The current operators are:

• Lime (green bikes): 1800 861 305, support-au@li.me
• HelloBike (blue bikes): 9423 0886, serviceos@hellobike.com
• Ario (white bikes): 1800 882 746, support@ario.ai

Age restrictions

While there are no age restrictions under NSW law for privately owned bikes and e-bikes, bike share operators set their own minimum age requirements when users sign up. However, operators rely on users providing accurate information.

Responsibilities

Shared bikes involve several stakeholders:

• NSW Government: All regulations that apply to shared bike services are managed by the NSW Government.
• Shared bike operators: Shared bike operators are private companies. They are expected to maintain a safe and legal fleet of bikes, which do not contravene any NSW laws or regulations. They are also expected to ensure shared bikes are parked appropriately.
• Shared bike users: Users of shared bikes are expected to ride them appropriately, following all relevant NSW laws and regulations. Riders are expected to park them appropriately, in designated parking spaces where available.
• Waverley Council: Council is currently working with the NSW government to improve the laws and regulations surrounding shared bikes. Council also works with operators to ensure that the devices they deploy and operate are safe to use and are stored in a way that does not adversely impact residents and visitors.
• The general public: Both residents and visitors have the right to safe, unobstructed access to footpaths and public spaces.

State legislation

Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021

Under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act, action can be taken when a shared bike is left unattended and creates a safety risk. It provides powers to remove bikes in certain circumstances and sets timeframes for operator response.

This diagram summarises the operator requirements under this Act.

^{Credit - NSW Office of Local Government. Click to enlarge.}

New micromobility legislation (2025)

In November 2025, the NSW Government passed the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Micromobility Vehicles and Smartcards) Bill 2025.

Under this legislation, the NSW Government approves which operators can operate in local government areas. The regulations and guidelines to support this legislation are currently being finalised.

Reporting issues

Illegally parked bikes

If you see a shared bike parked unsafely or illegally, contact the relevant operator directly (see Shared bike operators in Waverley). For best results, provide the location (street number or nearby landmark) and bike ID number if possible.

If the issue is not resolved within the required timeframe, you can Lodge a request with Council.

Property damage

If a shared bike appears to have damaged your car or other property, contact the contact the relevant operator directly (see Shared bike operators in Waverley). If there is any liability involved, this is a matter between you and the bike share operator. If appropriate, contact your insurer.

Shared bike parking trial

Council is trialling designated shared bike parking bays in high-pedestrian areas.

In Waverley, shared bikes operate on a dockless system. While they can be parked in many locations, inappropriate parking is a common concern. To address this, Council has introduced Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs) in busy areas.

In RPZs, riders must park within Council-installed parking bays. Operators enforce this through in-app prompts and penalties (such as additional fees or account suspension for repeat offences).

There is currently capacity for approximately 500 shared bikes within trial parking areas.

Types of parking areas

On-street parking

• Installed in selected kerbside locations
• Often located in existing 'No Stopping' zones to minimise impact on car parking
• In some cases, on-street car parking has been reallocated (one car space can accommodate approximately 10–15 shared bikes)
• Constructed using signage, line marking and bollards

Off-street parking

• Installed where the footpath width allows
• Used where on-street installation would significantly impact traffic or parking
• Constructed using line marking

Learn more about Council’s Shared Bike Parking and Management Pilot.