E-bikes and e-scooters in WA: what’s actually legal
Western Australia calls them ‘eRideables’ and has run clear, settled rules since December 2021. Private e-scooters are legal, footpaths are allowed, and the one hard line is age: you must be 16 to ride an eRideable with the motor engaged.
The short answer
Where each machine stands on a WA path and road today.
Private e-scooter
Legal on paths and local roads. 25km/h max (10km/h on footpaths). Age 16+. ≤25kg.
E-bike
250W pedal-assist. WA is the one state with a hard 16+ minimum age for e-bikes too.
Where you ride
Footpaths (10km/h), shared/bike paths and local roads ≤50km/h (25km/h). Anyone can use a footpath.
Low-powered scooters
Under-16s may use ≤200W, ≤10km/h scooters — a separate category, not an eRideable.
The numbers that decide it
WA eRideable limits, from the Road Safety Commission.
eRideables, in detail
An eRideable is an electric device — e-scooter, e-skateboard, hoverboard, unicycle — that can’t exceed 25km/h on the motor, weighs 25kg or less, and fits within 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high. Miss any of those and it can’t legally be ridden on WA roads or paths at all.
- Footpaths: allowed, at 10km/h. Anyone may ride on a footpath in WA unless signed otherwise.
- Shared paths, bike paths, local roads ≤50km/h: up to 25km/h.
- Not allowed: roads over 50km/h, roads with a dividing line or median strip, or one-way roads with more than one lane. Bike lanes on ≤50km/h roads are fine.
- One rider only, no passengers or animals. Helmet compulsory. Lights and reflectors after dark.
Children under 16 aren’t shut out entirely: they may use a separate class of low-powered motorised scooter — 200W or less, 10km/h or less — which is not an eRideable and has its own rules.
E-bikes, in detail
A 250W EN 15194 pedelec is a bicycle. The WA distinction worth knowing: WA sets a hard minimum age of 16 to ride an e-bike with the motor engaged — the only state to codify this for e-bikes specifically (ordinary bikes have no minimum). Footpath riding is broadly allowed, and since a 2024 amendment parents may ride with their children on footpaths, bringing WA into line with the rest of the country.
The e-bike trap: continuous vs peak watts
The single most common e-bike buying mistake in Australia.
Every Australian e-bike rule measures one number: continuous rated power — what the motor sustains, which must be 250W for the bike to count as a bicycle. But that’s rarely the number on the box. Sellers quote peak power, a brief burst two or three times higher. It looks better in an ad and means nothing to the law.
A motor sold as “250W (750W peak)” can be perfectly legal — the continuous figure is what counts. A motor rated 500W continuous is not, however it’s marketed. Ask the seller for the continuous figure in writing, and look for an EN 15194 marking on the frame — the standard Australian states increasingly require as proof of compliance.
Before you hand over the money
- Check weight and dimensions, not just speed. Over 25kg, or outside 125×70×135cm, and it’s not a legal eRideable in WA.
- Confirm the 25km/h design cap. Some models sold locally can exceed it and aren’t legal to ride on paths or roads.
- Mind the age rule. Under-16s can’t ride a full eRideable — only ≤200W, ≤10km/h low-powered scooters.
- For e-bikes, EN 15194 and 250W continuous. And remember the 16+ age rule applies to e-bikes in WA.
- Helmet always. Any approved bicycle, skateboard or motorcycle helmet is accepted.
Common questions
How old do I have to be to ride an e-scooter in WA?
16, to ride an eRideable with the motor engaged. Under-16s may only use a low-powered scooter (200W or less, 10km/h or less), which is a separate category.
Can I ride on the footpath?
Yes, at up to 10km/h. Anyone may use a footpath in WA unless a sign says otherwise. On shared paths, bike paths and local roads up to 50km/h, the limit is 25km/h.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes — 25kg. An eRideable over 25kg is not legal to ride on WA roads and paths, and there are size limits too (125×70×135cm).
Do I need a licence?
No — not for a compliant eRideable or e-bike. Neither needs registration.
Can I ride on a main road?
No. eRideables can’t be used on roads over 50km/h, roads with a dividing line or median, or multi-lane one-way roads. Local ≤50km/h roads and bike lanes are fine.
Sources
- Road Safety Commission WA — eRideables
- Road Safety Commission WA — eRideable offences and penalties
- Road Safety Commission WA — eRideable definitions and buying guide
- RAC WA — E-skateboards, e-scooters and hoverboards: the rules
Not legal advice. Covers the State of Western Australia. A plain-English summary of published government guidance, accurate to the verification date above. Australian e-mobility law is changing quickly — verify with the official sources above before you buy or ride, and take professional advice if anything important turns on it.