Police target e-bike, e-scooter safety

DURING the September school holidays, police on the Surf Coast rolled out Operation Electro, targeting e-bikes and e-scooters.

Over the two-week period, officers focused on educating riders around the rules and regulations when operating the vehicles.

Torquay Police Senior Sergeant Adrian Bickley said information flyers were provided, and several on-the-spot fines were issued to riders.

“The main issues were people riding on footpaths, not wearing safety gear, carrying passengers, modifying their e-bikes and scooters and riding at speed and in a dangerous manner.

“We expected there to be an increase [in e-bike and e-scooter usage] and I believe that’s certainly occurred, so we wanted to get out there and ensure the people we spoke to were provided with information.”

Senior Sgt Bickley said most of the riders they spoke to throughout the operation were under the age of 18, members also spoke with the families of riders to ensure they were aware of the rules.

The second part of Operation Electro will commence over the summer school holidays, with the focus switching to enforcement.

E-bikes and e-scooters have long been a concern in the community with complaints often centred around riders on footpaths.

Police are aware of the issues and are working to ensure the e-bikes and e-scooters are used properly in the community.

For more information on the rules and regulations surrounding the modes of transport, head to police.vic.gov.au