E-scooters prove popular

Victorians who love to feel the wind in their hair can now legally ride their private e-scooter if they:

• ride on shared-use paths and roads up to and including 60km/h
• are 16 years or over
• wear a helmet
• do not ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• ride up to a maximum speed to 20km/h
• do not use their mobile phone or carrying a passenger (dinking).

And if:

• it’s not a high-speed e-scooter – capable of more than 25km/h (this is considered an unregistered vehicle and penalties apply)
• and never on footpaths.

To keep everyone safe, e-scooter riders must:

• not carry passengers or animals
• have proper control at all times and ride responsibly
• use a warning (e.g., bell, horn or verbal) to avert danger
• not ride two abreast
• give way to pedestrians where appropriate
• not lead an animal, including by tethering the animal to the e-scooter.

To operate within a council's area, commercial e-scooter rental companies will be required to establish an agreement with the local council.

In Victoria, there are about 100,000 e-scooters that are privately owned.

Over the next six months, VicRoads will monitor how hire and private e-scooters are being used to make sure that the rules and regulations that are in place are fit-for-purpose and can effectively handle any safety concerns that may arise.

Victoria's e-scooter shared-scheme trial found that e-scooters are a popular way to get around and there is a high demand from Victorians to be able to use them. Although the trial collected a significant amount of information, VicRoads want to ensure that e-scooters can be safely incorporated into the transport network on a long-term basis. Extending the trial will provide additional data to evaluate and inform future regulations. The number one priority is the safety of everyone who uses roads in Victoria. From VicRoads webpage on e-scooters.

Find out more

Read more about e-scooter safety and the trial on the VicRoads e-scooter safety webpage.

There are many types of e-scooters available. However there are strict guidelines that cover what is considered a legal e-scooter. So make sure you read this if you are contemplating a e-scooter on the VicRoads what is a legal e-scooter webpage.

Want to know more about the rules and pentalities that apply if you break the rules? Check the VicRoads Rules and penalties webpage.

And e-scooter safely!