The trial comes in response to growing use of private e-scooters, though they're currently illegal to ride on footpaths.

NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes says there's a need to manage the trend safely.

"New transport technologies like e-scooters are exciting and offer an affordable, convenient and sustainable mode of mobility, particularly for first and last mile journeys," Mr Stokes said on Sunday.

"The NSW government is keen to enable innovation but safety is paramount."

In the twelve-month experiment to begin next year, Transport for NSW will talk to local councils to gauge possible locations for the trial and to see how e-scooters can fit into the transport network.

An Electric Scooter Working Group has previously recommended scooters not be used on footpaths and safe travel speeds be established.

How e-scooters will fit in with cycling infrastructure also needs to be looked at, Mr Stokes said.

"An important part of this process will be to identify suitable locations and requirements to support the safe integration of this technology into the road network," he said.

There was a call for e-scooters to be banned in Brisbane after a rider died in a fall in 2019.

The 50-year-old suffered traumatic head injuries when he fell down a set of stairs at Brisbane's South Bank.

In 2019, France banned the scooters from footpaths over safety concerns.

Australian Associated Press