The Victorian government will continue to allow share hire e-scooters to operate across Victoria but introduce new e-scooter rules – including tougher penalties for misuse, and mandated new technology to improve e-scooter safety.
Following a successful two-year trial in regional areas and metropolitan Melbourne, e‑scooters will be permanently legalised with additional safety and compliance measures from October.
Under the changes, fines will increase for e-scooter offences including riding on the footpath, not wearing a helmet, drinking alcohol while riding and underage riding.
Bigger fines for e-scooter misuse
- Fines will increase for e-scooter offences including riding on the footpath
- New offences with significant fines will also be introduced for riding as a passenger
- New legislation will be introduced next year
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
New offences with significant fines will also be introduced for riding as a passenger and not wearing a helmet as a passenger.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will continue working closely with councils and e-scooter operators to introduce additional safeguards for share hire e-scooters, including footpath detection and other technology to further improve safety for riders and pedestrians.
New legislation will be introduced next year, setting out new requirements for e-scooter share hire operators applying to councils to operate in their municipalities, with minimum standards to be enforced through a prequalification scheme.
As part of this process, DTP will work with operators and councils to trial and roll out safety technologies including footpath detection technology, cognitive reaction testing to reduce drink and drug-affected riding, disabling e-scooters for hire without attached helmets and verification of riders wearing a helmet.
The main road rules will remain unchanged, including that riders must wear a helmet, not ride on footpaths, be at least 16 years old and not drink and drive. E-scooters must not travel at more than 20km/h, and only be ridden on roads with a maximum speed limit of 60km/h or less.
Share hire e-scooters are only legal in council areas that have an agreement with an operator.
The government will continue to work with councils who choose to introduce share hire schemes by providing updated guidance and best practice advice on how to manage e-scooter share schemes, including parking management and operator insurance requirements.
The increased infringements and new rules for e-scooter users, including allowing e-scooters to have seats, will take effect from October 2024, along with the launch of a safety campaign in partnership with the TAC.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams
“E-scooters are here to stay – they’ve proven popular among commuters, especially shift workers, providing an additional option to travel home safely.”
“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.”
Find out more about e-scooter regulations here.
