E-Scooter trial coming to the MidCoast

Published on 19 October 2023

The twin towns of Forster-Tuncurry on the NSW Mid Coast will be the next region in NSW to make the most of shared e-scooters, when a 12-month trial begins on November 15.

Riders 16 years and older will be able to hop on a shared e-scooter in the trial zone that links the foreshore with shops, holiday parks, tourist attractions and the local TAFE campus.

Riders in Forster-Tuncurry will be able to unlock and use e-scooters by downloading Bird’s app.

The e-scooters include geofencing technology that can control where e-scooters are ridden and how fast they can travel, as well as enabling riders to receive a discount when they park their e-scooter in a designated parking zone. E-scooters will not be permitted on footpaths.

Bird will be hosting a safety workshop for the community to come and learn about e-scooters.

Workshops on the safe usage of shared e-scooters will be held from 10am to 1pm on Sunday 29 October in the Breese Parade car park in Forster. Bookings are not required.

For a map of the Forster-Tuncurry e-scooter shared scheme trial area and to find out more about the trial visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/e-scooters

Last year, councils across NSW interested in trialing a shared e-scooter scheme, were encouraged to put forward a submission to Transport for NSW.

Forster-Tuncurry is the fourth council-nominated e-scooter trial in NSW, with trials in Lake Macquarie, Armidale, and Wollongong also underway.

Currently, only e-scooters provided through a shared scheme are permitted for use in approved trial areas, privately owned e-scooters cannot be used in public areas. 

Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen, NSW Transport Minister: 

“E-scooters are coming to Forster-Tuncurry as part of an exciting 12 month trial.”

“Locals and tourists will be able to hop on an e-scooter from November 15, and cruise down the foreshore between shops, holiday parks, tourist spots and the local TAFE campus.”

“These scooters will be limited to 10km/h on shared paths and 20km/h on bike lanes or roads which have a speed limit of 50km/h or less.

“This will be a great new way to travel around Forster-Tuncurry. Strap on a helmet, ride safely, and have fun.”

MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin said:

"We are excited to be hosting this trial in the MidCoast. It’s a great opportunity for local residents and visitors to try out a new way of getting around Forster-Tuncurry.

“E-scooters can provide a sustainable, alternative transport option to a range of people within our community, and it is pleasing to be able to bring this opportunity to regional NSW.”

Bird, Head of Government Partnerships, ANZ Deevya Desai said:

“The team at Bird are thrilled to be collaborating with MidCoast Council in trialling additional, sustainable transit options for the Forster-Tuncurry community.

“Safety and equitable access to transport are extremely important to Bird and we are committed to delivering on these shared goals through innovative, tailored services.”

MEDIA:

Jack Begbie | Minister Haylen | 0467 764 301

Chris Ward | MidCoast Council | 7955 7427

Deevya Desai | Bird Mobility | 0478 589 945