Electric scooter laws in Australian Capital Territory: what is legal in 2026
Private e-scooters are legal on footpaths and shared paths, with limited road access. The cap is 15 km/h on footpaths, 25 km/h on shared paths. Riders under 12 must be supervised. Figures on this page were checked against ACT Government City Services on 23 August 2026.
Last reviewed 23 Aug 2026
Electric scooter rider in Australian Capital Territory. Photo for illustration.
Key points
- Legal on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths and the bicycle side of separated paths.
- Footpaths are capped at 15 km/h; shared and bicycle paths at 25 km/h. Slow to 10 km/h when approaching and crossing pedestrian crossings.
- Roads are only permitted where no footpath or shared path is available, taking the shortest safe route.
- Helmet compulsory for all riders. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
- No licence or registration required. Give way to pedestrians, keep left, and park clear of stairs, ramps and transit stops.
Canberra has quietly become one of the friendliest places in Australia to ride an e-scooter. Private e-scooters are legal on footpaths, shared paths and bike paths across the ACT, the path network is extensive, and the ACT is the only jurisdiction without a blanket minimum age for solo riders.
Where you can ride in Australian Capital Territory
- Legal on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths and the bicycle side of separated paths.
- Footpaths are capped at 15 km/h; shared and bicycle paths at 25 km/h. Slow to 10 km/h when approaching and crossing pedestrian crossings.
- Roads are only permitted where no footpath or shared path is available, taking the shortest safe route.
- Helmet compulsory for all riders. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
- No licence or registration required. Give way to pedestrians, keep left, and park clear of stairs, ramps and transit stops.
Speed limits at a glance
Checked against ACT Government City Services on 2026-08-23. Rules change; always confirm with the official source linked below before you ride.
| Where | Speed cap in ACT |
|---|---|
| Footpaths | 15 km/h |
| Shared and bike paths / eligible roads | 25 km/h |
| Device ceiling (nationwide) | 25 km/h |
What this means when you are buying
Canberra's long path commutes suit scooters with honest real world range, and its winters reward decent water resistance. The 15 km/h footpath cap means a scooter with easy mode switching is more pleasant to live with.
Nationally, the device itself must not be able to exceed 25 km/h to sit in the legal class at all. Our how to limit an e-scooter to 25 km/h guide explains what a genuine limit looks like, and our legal class vs private land explainer covers why an unlimitable performance scooter is a private land device in every state. To see which models fit, browse the full directory, where every scooter carries an honest per state legality readout.
How ACT compares
For the full picture across the country, see our national state by state guide. Nearby: NSW e-scooter laws, VIC e-scooter laws, QLD e-scooter laws.
Canberra's long path commutes suit scooters with honest real world range, and its winters reward decent water resistance. The 15 km/h footpath cap means a scooter with easy mode switching is more pleasant to live with.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric scooters legal in Canberra?
Yes. Private e-scooters are legal on footpaths (15 km/h), shared and bike paths (25 km/h) across the ACT, with a helmet compulsory. Roads are only for where no path is available.
Is there a minimum age for e-scooters in the ACT?
The ACT has no blanket minimum age for solo riders, the only Australian jurisdiction without one, but children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
How fast can I ride an e-scooter in the ACT?
15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on shared and bicycle paths, slowing to 10 km/h at pedestrian crossings.
Can I ride an e-scooter on the road in Canberra?
Only where there is no footpath or shared path available, and only by the shortest safe route. The ACT's path network means this rarely comes up on common commutes.
Sources
- ACT Government City Services (checked 23 Aug 2026)