Image: In May 2024, Victoria Police issued 300 infringements to e-scooter users for offences including failure to wear helmets and using footpaths. Image: Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece/ Facebook.
E-scooters are to become a permanent feature in Melbourne and other cities in Victoria. Following a successful two-year trial, the Jacinta Allan Labor government announced last week it will permanently legalise share-hire e-scooters across the state. Taking cognisance of complaints about rule-breakers, new regulations are set to take effect in October 2024, which will mandate new safety technologies and tougher penalties for those who flout traffic laws.
Victoria introduced share-hire e-scooters on a trial basis in 2022. Since then, approximately 9 million e-scooter trips have been taken in Melbourne.
According to Lord Mayor Nicholas, share-hire e-scooters have been very popular in Melbourne. E-scooters have been credited with reducing car usage in Melbourne, with around 30 percent of users in the CBD choosing e-scooters over cars – “meaning 3 million less car trips and less congestion on our roads,” the Lord Mayor said.
E-Scooters Are Here To Stay
“E-scooters are here to stay – they’ve proven popular among commuters, especially shift workers, providing an additional option to travel home safely,” Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said in a statement.
There have been detractors too, with e-scooter users accused of breaking traffic rules. In May 2024, a police crackdown saw over 300 infringements being issued to e-scooter users in Melbourne. The offences related to failure to wear helmets, using footpaths, and flouting red traffic lights.
“The e-scooter scheme has not worked in the way we had hoped: there are too many people breaking the law, riding on footpaths, no helmets, double dinking, parking anywhere – cluttering our streets, creating a hazard,” Reece said in a Facebook post and welcomed the new regulatory regime.
Fines To Rise From October 2024
From October 2024, riders caught without a helmet will face a £395 fine, up from £247, while speeding will incur a £346 penalty. Underage riders and those using footpaths can expect a fine of around £296.
“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,” said Williams.
Share-hire e-scooters will be legal only in areas where the local council has an agreement with the operator. Riders must be at least 16 years old, must wear a helmet, not ride on footpaths, and should not drink and drive. E-scooters must not travel at more than 20km/h, and can only be ridden on roads with a maximum speed limit of 60km/h or less.
The government said that the Department of Transport and Planning will work with councils and e-scooter operators to implement new safety technologies, including footpath detection, cognitive reaction testing to reduce impaired riding, and disabling e-scooters without attached helmets.
Lord Mayor Reece welcomed the new rules and said that the City of Melbourne would consider further safety measures. “It’s pretty simple: If operators and riders can’t abide by our rules, shared e-scooters won’t be permitted in the City of Melbourne,” said the Lord Mayor.
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