Victorian Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, has announced a new advertising campaign in partnership with TAC to promote safe e-scooter riding and reinforce tough new penalties introduced state-wide.
“E-scooters have proven popular option for Victorians to travel home safely and we are improving awareness of Victoria’s strengthened laws to keep riders safe,” said the Minister.
“We know there have been safety concerns, and that’s why we’re introducing some of the toughest new laws in the country, alongside a new education campaign to make them safer.”
Fines in Victoria are increasing for riding without a helmet to $395, riding on a footpath to $296 and carrying a passenger to $247.
E-scooter passengers will also face a new fine of at least $247, and this sum will increase to $642 if they are also not wearing a helmet.
Riders caught riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol are subject to the same rules as motorists and will also have their vehicle license automatically suspended and have an interlock fitted to their vehicle for at least six months.
The main road rules will remain unchanged, with riders needing to be at least 16 years old, not travel at more than 20 kilometres per hour and only ride on roads with a maximum speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour or less.
E-scooters can now operate permanently in Council areas where agreements are in place with share hire operators, with the conclusion of the Victorian Government’s two-year trial on Friday.
Share hire e-scooters are only legal in council areas that have an agreement with an operator – while private scooters can still be used across Victoria, the Minister confirmed.
The Minister says the Department of Transport and Planning will continue to work closely with councils and e-scooter hire operators to introduce additional safeguards for share e-scooter schemes to further improve safety for riders and pedestrians.
Next year, new laws will set minimum standards for share-hire e-scooter companies. These companies will need to be prequalified to operate in Victoria, including installing new safety technology on their e-scooters
To learn more about the e-scooter rules, visit transport.vic.gov.au/Road-rules-and-safety/E-scooter-road-rules.
