Wollongong City Council is thinking about extending its e-scooter project after a year-long trial in which commuters embraced micromobility and the city saved an estimated 22 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

“We've already been working with the state government in the background on what it could look like and how we could expand and work on this throughout our city,” said Nathan McBriarty, Council's Manager of Infrastructure Strategy and Planning.

Launched on 29 September 2023 as part of the city's sustainable transport initiatives, the e-scooter trial has given commuters and recreational riders a convenient, greener way to travel.

“These scooters are electrically charged and reduce our footprint,” said Nathan.

“This might even lead to someone deciding they only need one vehicle for their household, meaning the emissions of that second vehicle are no longer added to our atmosphere.”

Council has had plenty of positive feedback from residents during the 12-month trial, which has covered key city centre destinations such as the Lighthouse, University, WIN Entertainment Centre and Stuart Park, as well as surrounding suburbs. Scooters are easy to find and book via a smartphone app.

At the moment, riders may go as far north as Sandon Point, after which point geofencing technology will kick in and power down their e-scooter. This tracking tech also limits scooter speed and allows for ‘no ride zones’ like Crown Street Mall and the Botanic Gardens.

"We've implemented measures like specific parking zones and speed controls to ensure safety and reduce clutter,” Nathan said. “For example, on the Blue Mile, scooters are limited to 10km per hour, which aligns with walking speeds, minimising risks.”

Across the country, e-scooter trials have had their challenges. With Melbourne recently banning e-scooters, some Wollongong residents have also expressed doubts, raising concerns about keeping the city tidy and safe, especially in light of occasional 'drunk scooting'. Council and Neuron have reported that 99.99% of all rides have been accident free and ended safely.

Fresh perspectives

A year ago, we asked Wollongong locals what they thought of e-scooters. As the city's 12-month trial comes to an end, we checked in to see how their views had changed.

Oliver Finnegan, Keiraville

A year ago, Oliver – who comes from Canberra and was already used to using scooters – felt positive about saving time and money during the trial.

“The scooters have been a fun addition to have in the area, making getting around easier in most areas closer to central Wollongong," he said. "However, I feel they could’ve had a better area of availability, and as someone who lives in the Mount Keira area, scooters weren’t available for use anywhere near where I live, having a very controlled range of use.” 

Benjamin Mahlknecht, Figtree

A year ago, Ben thought the scooters would bring some fun to Wollongong and be a unique way for people to get around.

“I think they are still an awesome addition as they give that element of freedom in Wollongong," he said. "Especially with all the additional pathways and parks added in the past year, they definitely have more places to be used.”

Yash Gokhale, Wollongong

A year ago, Yash felt the scooters were a great addition but was worried that their drivers could cause problems.

“After a year, sadly my opinion of the initiative has only worsened. While being a clean energy initiative the way it is used, from the rash and dangerous driving to the parking randomly around footpaths and streets, instead of the specific parking, has left a lasting impression on me,” Yash said.

“The idea of e-scooters is a good one, but the lack of controls to keep others in the way of the e-scooter drivers safe, it has turned into a horrible one. There is a reason why people require a licence to drive on the road. This allows teens and people who should not be allowed to drive, drive.

“I think we should follow in Melbourne's footsteps and get rid of them.”

Ananya Kapur, Wollongong

A year ago, Ananya believed the e-scooters, if used safely, would be a cost-effective and convenient mode of transport.

“Safety is another major concern with e-scooters," she said a year later. 

"There are no checks in place to ensure riders are sober, and this is particularly worrying since many users ride them under the influence, increasing the risk of accidents. Given these issues, I think it's fair to say that e-scooters are not the safest option.

“As for whether Wollongong should follow Melbourne’s lead in removing e-scooters, I agree that it might be a good idea. The e-scooters pose significant safety risks, and the high costs and inconvenience make them a less viable transportation option. Removing them could reduce the number of accidents and encourage people to seek safer, more reliable ways to get around.”

For more information and a map, visit Wollongong City Council's website