Police crack down on e-scooter rider behaviour

Owners of high-powered e-scooters are running out of public areas to ride, amid a crackdown on their use on footpaths, laneways and roads.

E-scooter riders have been warned a fresh rule crackdown is on the way in a bid to improve road safety before summer.

Victoria Police made the announcement on Monday, with usage of the scooters expected to rise as the weather improves.

It comes after 487 fines were issued by police to riders across Melbourne since December 2021.

The majority of these were for failing to wear a helmet, riding e-scooters on the footpath and carrying more than one person on an e-scooter.

E-scooters are often driven around Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Ian Currie

Road Policing Command Superintendent, Justin Goldsmith said the crackdown was needed to kerb bad behaviour before it becomes widespread.

“Victoria Police will be increasing its focus on e-scooter riders coming into spring and summer – if you’re using an e-scooter, you should expect to be intercepted and spoken to by police,” he said.

“Education is always our preference, but we won’t hesitate to issue infringements for noncompliance and blatant disregard for the rules – particularly if it involves putting other road users’ safety at risk”.

On the spot fines of $185 or more can be issued for noncompliance with trial e-scooter rules.

Police will also be cracking down on privately-owned e-scooter usage, with current legislation deeming any non-trial e-scooter which can travel over 10km/h or over 200 watts to be illegal.

This means they cannot be ridden on any public roads, bike lanes or footpaths in Victoria.

High-powered e-scooters are considered a motor vehicle and riders can attract a $925 fine for using an unregistered vehicle, with e-scooters currently unable to be registered and ridden legally on roads.