16 Oct 2026: e-scooter schemes

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: E-scooter schemes

Enquiry

I'm working on a story about shared e-scooter schemes and whether Rotorua could support one in the future.

Could you please advise:

• Does Rotorua Lakes Council currently have a position on shared e-scooter services operating in Rotorua?
• Has the council been approached or had any discussions with any shared e-scooter or micromobility operators (such as Lime, Beam, Flamingo or others) in recent years? If so, which operators and when?
• A June 2020 council report noted staff were working through regulatory requirements relating to a request from Lime and stated a six-month trial involving 250 scooters would be undertaken. Did that proposed trial proceed? If not, what became of the proposal?
• Were any lessons or concerns from those discussions relevant to the council's current position on shared e-scooters?
• Are there any regulatory, infrastructure, safety or other barriers that have prevented a shared e-scooter scheme from operating in Rotorua?
• Has the council undertaken any recent work, investigations or discussions regarding shared e-scooters or other shared micromobility services?
• Does the council see a shared e-scooter scheme as something that could benefit Rotorua residents and visitors?
• Would the council be open to considering proposals from operators in the future?

Response

From District Development Group Manager, Jean-Paul Gaston:

Does Rotorua Lakes Council currently have a position on shared e-scooter services operating in Rotorua?

No. Enquiries would be assessed on individual merits in line with the nature and scope of services being proposed.

Has the council been approached or had any discussions with any shared e-scooter or micromobility operators (such as Lime, Beam, Flamingo or others) in recent years? If so, which operators and when?

Both Lime and Beam approached council at similar times around late 2019 early 2020. Discussions were also had about a shared electric bike scheme. The proposals did not eventuate.

A June 2020 council report noted staff were working through regulatory requirements relating to a request from Lime and stated a six-month trial involving 250 scooters would be undertaken. Did that proposed trial proceed? If not, what became of the proposal?

No, the trial was placed on hold at council’s request due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Were any lessons or concerns from those discussions relevant to the council's current position on shared e-scooters?

Council is mindful of balancing potential public benefits of micromobility with ensuring the safety of riders and footpath/road users, the efficiency of e-scooter recovery routines and potential associated damage or dumping involving e-scooters. The positioning and distribution of charging/locking docks and interaction with footpath trading activities is also considered.

Are there any regulatory, infrastructure, safety or other barriers that have prevented a shared e-scooter scheme from operating in Rotorua?

All abovementioned factors are assessed against any application received. We are not aware of these matters explicitly preventing progress.

Has the council undertaken any recent work, investigations or discussions regarding shared e-scooters or other shared micromobility services?

No, not since the initial proposals in 2019/2020.

Does the council see a shared e-scooter scheme as something that could benefit Rotorua residents and visitors?

Micromobility options such as e-scooters can deliver benefits for infrastructure, the environment, individual health as well as provide low-emission, flexible urban transport options. Those potential benefits would depend on the scale and nature of any individual proposal received and the requirement for public education around safety for riders and the wider community.

Would the council be open to considering proposals from operators in the future?

Yes, if they are well researched and prepared.