E-scooters are set to stay in Victoria, but with tougher penalties for misuse and new technology mandated to improve 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 to take effect 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.
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 brought in 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, along with the launch of a safety campaign in partnership with the TAC.
