Melbourne e-scooter riders flouting the law

Cases of illegal riding on footpaths, and riders being caught for speeding have prompted serious concerns about the rise of electronic scooters.

Riding on footpaths is illegal for scooters. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Safety concerns over electronic scooters are rising amid reports of a spike in crashes and anti-social behaviour overseas.

Private e-scooters are banned from public areas in Victoria, but VicRoads admits that many riders are breaking the law, and “safety risks are emerging”.

In recent days, the Herald Sun witnessed several cases of illegal riding on footpaths, and riders being caught by police for speeding.

A report last month said that London had 258 e-scooter collisions in the first half of 2021 – a 2800 per cent increase, compared with the whole of 2018.

Concerns about speeding and illegal parking have been raised in Canberra, while global cities from Singapore to Paris are cracking down on their use or banning them outright.

The state government and four inner-city councils, including Melbourne, are trialling a public share scheme to gauge the benefits and risks of the vehicles.

Carrying passengers is illegal for scooters. Picture: Mark Stewart

Two young men ride a scooter. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

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.

Prominent city restaurant owner Chris Lucas said there were already problems with the trial. “We’ve seen evidence of them littering the streets, and my staff are finding it hard to serve customers in parklets,” he said.

Scooters have risen in popularity. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Southbank Residents Association president Tony Penna said locals were worried about e-scooters on footpaths, and riders speeding on shared paths such as Southbank Promenade.

“The concerns are similar to complaints that have been made about speeding cyclists in these areas,” he said.

Police stop a scooter rider. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said e-scooters had the potential to be a fantastic attraction for Melbourne, and the trial would determine what worked involving speed, safety and interaction with pedestrians.

“We are working really hard to see if this scheme can be a success, but also take the learnings from that and see how they might apply across private use,” she said.

Two people ride a e-scooters in the CBD. Picture: Mark Stewart

A man rides a rental e-scooter. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner road policing, Glenn Weir, said police were actively enforcing the e-scooter trial regulations.

“Anyone caught in breach of the rules will be subject to significant penalties,” he said.