E-scooters Victoria: Riders fined as police crackdown

You’ve probably seen them zooming around Melbourne, but E-scooter riders flouting the rules have been put on notice — and slapped with fines.

E-scooter provider Neuron Mobility offers free rides around Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

More than 210 E-scooter riders have been slapped with fines in Melbourne’s inner city in just two weeks.

Victoria Police nabbed a total of 217 riders in the first half of February across Melbourne’s CBD, Richmond, Southbank, Collingwood and Fitzroy.

Fifty-nine of those infringements were for riders travelling on an E-scooter hired under a trial, with 158 privately owned.

There were 94 people busted not wearing a helmet while riding — the most common offence.

Seventy-three riders were fined for using their private scooter on a public street, and 19 people were caught travelling on a footpath.

The places where riders were caught flouting the rules the most are Swanston St, Elizabeth St and Southbank Promenade.

The City of Melbourne, City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip and a regional council, are holding a 12-month trial to test how road rules could be changed to include the scooters.

A 20km/h speed limit applies, e-scooters are not allowed on footpaths, but they can use bike lanes, shared paths and roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less.

An increasing number of E-scooters have been zooming around, despite the private vehicles being banned from public areas in Victoria.

Road policing strategy division Superintendent Justin Goldsmith urged riders follow the law for the safety of all road users.

“No matter what the situation the community should be assured police are engaging with riders to make sure they know the rules,” he said.

“Education is always our preference but when needed police will issue infringements.”