Victoria will soon see the permanent legalisation of share hire e-scooters and the introduction of new safety regulations aimed at reducing misuse and enhancing safety. This follows a successful two-year trial in both regional areas and metropolitan Melbourne.
“E-scooters are here to stay – they’ve proven popular among commuters, especially shift workers, providing an additional option to travel home safely,” said Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams.
Starting in October, tougher penalties will be implemented for e-scooter offences. These will include increased fines for riding on the footpath, not wearing a helmet, riding under the influence of alcohol, and underage riding. New offences will also be introduced, such as riding as a passenger and not wearing a helmet as a passenger, both of which will carry significant fines.
“We know there have been safety concerns, and that’s why we have thoroughly assessed their use and are introducing some of the toughest new laws in the country to make e-scooters safer,” Williams added.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will collaborate with councils and e-scooter operators to integrate additional safety measures for share hire e-scooters. This includes footpath detection and other technologies designed to enhance safety for both riders and pedestrians.
Next year, new legislation will outline requirements for e-scooter share hire operators seeking to operate within municipal boundaries. These will be enforced through a prequalification scheme, ensuring operators meet minimum safety standards.
As part of these changes, the DTP will trial and implement various safety technologies, such as cognitive reaction testing to curb drink and drug-affected riding, systems to disable e-scooters that lack attached helmets, and helmet verification technologies.
Key road rules will remain unchanged: riders must wear helmets, avoid riding on footpaths, be at least 16 years old, and refrain from drinking and driving. E-scooters will be limited to a maximum speed of 20 km/h and can only be ridden on roads with speed limits of 60 km/h or less. Share hire e-scooters will be legal only in council areas that have agreements with operators.
The government will continue to support councils that adopt share hire schemes by offering updated guidance and best practice advice on managing these schemes, including parking management and operator insurance requirements.
The new regulations, along with a safety campaign in partnership with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), will come into effect in October 2024.
