The Victorian Government has launched an education campaign aimed at reigning in the risky behaviour of e-scooter riders who share paths with bikes and pedestrians.
The government has recently revised and tightened its trial rules, making private devices legal to ride.
The move comes as cities around the world revied their policies on the use of micromobility devices, including Paris, which has voted to ban them.
The new campaign is aimed at younger people using the e-scooters primarily for entertainment, rather than transportation. And at their parents.
The campaign targets speeding, footpath riding, and use of drugs and alcohol while riding.
Users must obey 20km/h speed limits.
E-scooters able to exceed 25km/h are illegal and considered unregistered vehicles. Fines of up to $925 apply.
The campaign states that e-scooter riders must:
- Be aged 16 years and over
- Not exceed the maximum speed of 20km/h
- Ride only on shared paths and roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h
- Wear a helmet at all times
- Obey traffic rules
- Be visible at all times
E-scooter riders cannot:
- Ride on the footpath
- Use a mobile phone while riding
- Ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Carry passengers or animals, or ride in tandem
- Ride an e-scooter capable of more than 25km/h
- Ride on roads that have a speed limit over 60km/h
More information can be found here.