The landscape of urban mobility in Australia is undergoing a significant transformation, with shared ebike rentals experiencing remarkable growth, particularly in Sydney. This surge comes at a time when e-scooter rental programmes are facing challenges due to heightened safety concerns, leading to what some experts describe as a “moral panic.” The rise of ebikes underscores a shift in public preference and policy that could shape the future of transportation in Australian cities.
A Shift in Urban Mobility
Australia witnessed a rapid expansion of e-scooter rental services, which initially outperformed ebikes in popularity. However, the narrative has taken a dramatic turn. In Sydney, the number of rental ebikes nearly doubled in 2025, largely credited to the efforts of the American operator Lime, which significantly increased its fleet. While e-scooters were rolled out in most major cities by early 2025, concerns over safety led to operational restrictions and a decline in usage.
Cities such as Perth and Bendigo have felt the impact of safety incidents, prompting local governments to reassess their e-scooter programmes. Following a tragic fatality in Perth, approximately 1,000 rental e-scooters were removed from circulation, while Bendigo’s fleet faced a similar fate due to disappointing ridership figures.
The Rise of Ebikes
As e-scooters faltered, residents began to gravitate towards rental ebikes. In Melbourne, for example, Lime noted a marked increase in ebike users as e-scooter services were withdrawn. Stephen Coulter, an industry consultant, attributes this trend to a broader societal apprehension regarding the safety of e-scooters, which has led to stricter regulations and operational cutbacks in various cities.
“The moral panic surrounding e-scooters has prompted some local governments to overreact,” remarked Coulter, highlighting the rapid policy shifts that have occurred in response to public sentiment.
The ebike phenomenon is not confined to Sydney. Other Australian cities are beginning to embrace the technology, with Hobart introducing Beam bikes and Canberra actively seeking applications for both ebike and e-scooter operations. As cities adapt to changing public preferences, rental ebikes are increasingly seen as a viable alternative to the beleaguered e-scooter market.
Lime’s Growing Presence
Lime, a key player in the ebike rental sector, has capitalised on the shift in consumer behaviour. The company more than doubled its fleet in Sydney, growing it to at least 7,000 bikes, with estimates suggesting the actual number may exceed 10,000. Will Peters, Lime’s head for the Asia Pacific region, expressed optimism about the future of ebikes in Sydney, stating, “How do we make Sydney the best market? I think we can be bigger than London, we can be bigger than Paris.”
The absence of e-scooters in Sydney has provided a unique opportunity for ebikes to flourish, with government data indicating that 600,000 residents are now using shared ebikes monthly—a significant increase from the previous year. The City of Sydney reported a near doubling of shared ebike trips within the Central Business District (CBD) in 2025, reaching 3.7 million rides.
Safety Considerations and Future Implications
The growing preference for ebikes over e-scooters may also be attributed to perceived safety advantages. Data reveals that shared ebikes experienced significantly fewer incidents compared to their e-scooter counterparts. In 2025, while e-scooters were involved in ten fatalities and over 440 crashes in Queensland, rental ebikes had a markedly lower incidence of accidents, which has bolstered their appeal among users.
Adam Rossetto, general manager of Ario, which operates both ebikes and e-scooters in Queensland, noted, “Ebikes are coming back into the fore. They provide a more traditional approach to mobility that delivers less recklessness from a section of users.”
Why it Matters
The rising popularity of rental ebikes in Australia signals a pivotal moment in urban transport, highlighting the public’s increasing demand for safer, more reliable mobility solutions. As cities reassess their approach to e-mobility, the success of ebikes could influence policy decisions and infrastructure development for years to come. This shift not only reflects changing consumer preferences but also underscores the importance of balancing innovation with safety in the rapidly evolving landscape of urban transportation.
