E-scooter riders brazenly riding along footpaths, some while drunk in Melbourne’s CBD

Partygoers are recklessly flouting e-scooter laws in Melbourne’s CBD, some riding them while drunk and on footpaths.

E-scooters where they’re not meant to be, in Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Partygoers are flouting e-scooter laws in Melbourne’s CBD, some riding them recklessly, while drunk, and on footpaths.

As thousands gathered in the city for Christmas celebrations on Friday night, the Sunday Herald Sun saw many incidences of e-scooter riders putting themselves, and pedestrians, at risk.

Among them were riders travelling down Swanston St without helmets, with two people per scooter, and often along the crowded footpath.

Residents 3000 president Rafael Camillo said the illegal riding of e-scooters was “appalling”, saying fines should be increased for those flouting the law.

“These riders who are riding while drunk on footpaths are putting pedestrians in extreme danger,” Mr Camillo said.

“The e-scooter companies must also take some responsibility and block these scooters from riding on the footpath.”

Mr Camillo said the state government needed to step in and assist police with more resourcing to issue fines.

“Police are incredibly under-resourced at the moment and the state government needs to step in and assist them.

“The state government also needs to meet with the e-scooter companies as a matter of urgency to discuss safety campaigns.”

On-the-spot fines of $192 or more can be issued for non-compliance with e-scooter rules.

Melbourne City Councillor Roshena Campbell was removed as deputy of the council’s transport portfolio by Lord Mayor Sally Capp due to her strong opposition to the council’s rollout of bike lanes.

Cr Campbell said: “The state government is patting itself on the back for this trial, but the reality is dangerous illegal behaviour by e-scooter riders is out of control.”

The controversial e-scooter trial in inner Melbourne was extended by the state government for another six months in October.

The extension, rather than making the rollout permanent, is to collect more data over the warmer months, the state government said.

At the time, Lord Mayor Sally Capp welcomed the trial’s extension.

“The extension of the e-scooter trial will allow extra time for providers to ensure e-scooters are incorporated into our transport network as safely as possible,” she said.

A helmetless e-scooter rider in the middle of the street. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Opposition police spokesman Brad Battin said: “The Allan Government must ensure our CBD remains a safe and welcoming place for all and that our frontline police are supported to manage anyone doing the wrong thing and putting others in harm’s way.”

It came as prices for rideshare services surged in the CBD.

Prices for Ubers nearly doubled between 9pm and 11pm over the weekend, with passengers quoted upwards of $100 for trips to suburbs such as Ringwood, Caroline Springs and Aintree.

Georgia Smith, 24, said she booked an Uber to Mentone after her work Christmas party only for the price to skyrocket within a couple of minutes. “I booked an Uber for $60, they cancelled and then literally immediately after it, it was $90,” she said.

University student Reiny Suraya, 25, said her Uber trip from Craigieburn to the city was much more expensive than usual.

“It cost me $58 tonight but usually I pay only around $35 for the same trip,” she said.  

A state government spokesman said: “E-scooter riders should always wear a helmet, stick to the speed limit and only ride on shared paths or roads with a speed limit of up to 60km/h.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police continued to actively enforce and educate riders on the eScooter rules.

The City of Melbourne would not comment on the misuse of e-scooters and referred the matter onto the state government.