e-scooters
Considering purchasing an e-Scooter for a Christmas present this year? Know the rules.
With the increase in popularity of e-scooters within the area, Victoria Police are pleading with parents to ensure they do their research before they consider purchasing an e-scooter for their child this Christmas.
E-scooters are now permanently legalised in Victoria, which means you can ride a hire scheme or privately owned e-scooter under strict rules with penalties applied for e-scooter riders who breach the rules. Senior Constable Dee Kuchenmeister says, “Our priority is to ensure the roads and footpaths remain safe for all road users- the rules are there to keep both riders and other road users safe.”
The main points we ask parents to consider is that riders MUST be 16 years or older to legally ride an E-scooter on a Victorian road and if their child does have an E-scooter that they take the time to educate their child on the current road rules and appropriate behaviour when out in our community. Senior Constable Kuchenmeister says, “Victoria Police remains committed to enforcing e-scooter rules to ensure our roads and footpaths are safe spaces for everyone.
E-scooter riders MUST
- Be aged 16 years or over
- Not Exceed the maximum speed of 20km/h
- Ride only on shared paths and roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h
- Wear a helmet at all times
- Follow road rules
- Use lights and reflectors if riding at night
E-scooter riders CANNOT
- Ride on footpaths
- Use mobile phones while riding
- Ride while under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Carry passengers or animals or ride in tandem
- Ride a high-speed e-scooter, one capable of more than 25km/h
- Ride on roads that have a speed limit over 60km/h
Additional quotes attributable to Senior Constable Dee Kuchenmeister:
“E-scooter rules exist for a reason—to protect riders, pedestrians, and all road users. Safety is always our priority.”“Police will be actively monitoring e-scooter use and won’t tolerate reckless riding that puts others in harm’s way.”“We aim to educate riders wherever possible, but for serious breaches or blatant rule-breaking, fines will be issued.”
Senior Constable Stephanie Ward (Colac Community Engagement Officer)