Tamarama residents will soon see a 40km/h speed limit enforced on local roads and stricter controls on shared e-bikes under Waverley’s new transport safety measures.
Transport Rules Shift Local Movement in Tamarama
Tamarama is one of several suburbs in Sydney’s east affected by Waverley Council’s recent changes to road and public space regulations. These include the introduction of a 40km/h speed limit and new rules targeting e-bike misuse across the area.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Slower Speeds for Local Streets
As part of a broader initiative covering the southern half of Waverley, Tamarama’s local roads will be reduced from 50km/h to 40km/h. This follows a community consultation held from 2019 to 2020 and affects areas located south of Bondi Road and Syd Einfeld Drive, extending to sections of Oxford Street.
The changes follow the installation of infrastructure such as kerb extensions, pedestrian crossings and speed humps. Council cited data from Transport for NSW indicating that lower speeds reduce crash severity and shorten braking distances.
Although the consultation drew only 195 responses from a population of 64,000, 75 per cent of those who responded supported the speed reduction. Installation of signage is expected to be completed by mid-June.
E-Bike Rules Address Safety and Obstruction
Waverley Council is also addressing growing complaints about shared e-bikes left strewn on footpaths or operated at unsafe speeds. Under enforcement powers granted by the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021, the council will begin impounding bikes that block access or present safety concerns.
Bike providers will have three hours to relocate problem bikes before they are impounded. Once impounded, companies have 28 days to retrieve them, subject to fees.
Lime Agrees to Regulation Terms
An agreement has been signed between Waverley Council and operator Lime, placing limits on the number of e-bikes within affected suburbs including Tamarama. The deal also introduces designated parking areas and geo-fenced no-go zones, including pedestrian-heavy and environmentally sensitive locations.
Lime’s bikes will be restricted to a maximum speed of 25km/h, and the company has agreed to fund new parking infrastructure and respond quickly to non-compliant parking.
Other operators such as HelloRide and Ario did not meet the council’s deadline to sign a similar agreement, meaning their bikes may now be subject to removal.
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Local Reactions and Broader Impact
Community response has been mixed. Some residents voiced concerns online that slower speed limits may worsen congestion. Others highlighted e-bike misuse as a more pressing issue, citing safety risks from high-speed riding and blocked footpaths.
Between 2021 and 2024, the use of shared bikes in the area rose by 350 per cent, contributing to increased visibility and concern over how the bikes are managed.
Next Steps in Tamarama
The new speed limit in Tamarama will be fully enforced by mid-June. Lime’s agreement with council begins at the end of June and will run for two years, starting with a six-month trial of designated parking areas. The council is also reviewing speed limits for the northern section of Waverley.
Council representatives said these changes aim to improve safety and accessibility in areas like Tamarama, where narrow streets and high pedestrian traffic require closer regulation.
Published 9-May-2025