Electric bike (ebike) rental programs are experiencing a surge in Australian cities, while e-scooter hire operations are struggling. This contrast is attributed to a 'moral panic' over safety concerns, which has led to a decline in e-scooter usage. Sydney has seen the most significant growth in ebike rentals, with the number of vehicles nearly doubling in 2025 due to the deployment of thousands more by US operator Lime. However, e-scooter hire operations have faced challenges, with major players like Neuron and Beam reducing their fleets by nearly a tenth over the year. The decline in e-scooter popularity has been linked to safety concerns and a lack of user-friendliness. In response, cities like Melbourne have seen a shift towards ebikes, with residents opting for Lime's ebike services. The future of e-scooters remains uncertain, with state governments considering regulations to encourage their return in 2026. Meanwhile, shared ebikes are gaining popularity due to their relative safety compared to e-scooters, attracting customers like Adam Rossetto, general manager of Ario, who believes ebikes offer a more traditional approach to mobility.
