PRIVATELY owned electric scooters are no longer banned and younger riders can hit the road as part of a six-month extension to a Victorian e-scooter trial.<\/p>\n
The only e-scooters that were legally allowed on the road are those available through hire companies, but that changed last week.<\/p>\n
Anyone aged over 16 and wearing a helmet will be allowed to travel on e-scooters in bicycle lanes and shared paths or on roads with a speed limit of 60kph or less.<\/p>\n
Given Victorians could get their learner drivers licence at 16, it made sense to let them ride e-scooters at the same age, State roads minister Melissa Horne said.<\/p>\n
The scooters are not allowed on footpaths and must not travel at more than 20kph, while only one person is allowed on board at a time.<\/p>\n
E-scooters capable of travelling at more than 25kph remain banned and riders must follow the same blood alcohol content and drug rules as drivers.<\/p>\n
More than 200,000 in Ballarat since the trial kicked off in early 2022 and City of Ballarat mayor the extension of the region\u2019s scooter higher program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe e-scooters provide a safe, fun, and environmentally friendly way to see our beautiful city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
State Government data estimates there was about 100,000 privately owned e-scooters in Victoria, and relevant departments would fine-tune the regulatory framework for their use over the next six months, Ms Horne said.<\/p>\n
“We know e-scooters are popular with many Victorians, so we’re extending the trial in Victoria under these strict regulations to ensure people travel responsibly and safely,” she said.<\/p>\n
The Government would also roll out an education campaign about the scooters.<\/p>\n
People were mostly concerned about e-scooters being ridden on footpaths, and they would essentially be treated like bikes when it came to collisions with pedestrians, Ms Horne said.<\/p>\n
There were 324 collisions involving e-scooters in Victoria and 16 privately owned vehicles were impounded between December 2021 and February 2022, according to Victoria Police.<\/p>\n
More than 1000 infringements were issued to riders during that time, two-thirds of which were for failing to wear a helmet or riding on a footpath.<\/p>\n