Despite a push to encourage eco-friendly travel options, Melbourne police have intensified enforcement of electric scooter regulations, issuing over 300 fines for violations such as riding on footpaths and not wearing helmets.
A two-day blitz by Victoria Police saw 137 e-scooter riders receive fines for not wearing helmets, which incurs a $240 fine, and a further 73 for riding on the footpath—which is illegal in Melbourne.
One rider was summoned to court for failing to provide an oral sample to police while riding an e-scooter, while others were fined for running traffic lights and carrying passengers.
Riders cannot carry passengers and must stay on shared paths and roads that do not have a speed limit higher than 60km/h, or on bike paths.
E-scooters provided by Lime and Neuron now dominate inner Melbourne and Ballarat after a trial was launched in February 2022 by the Victorian government.
The trial aimed to “understand the benefits and risks associated with this new transport technology and to test if these vehicles can safely fit into the state’s transport network longer term.”
‘The Time for Leniency is Over’
Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir stated that the enforcement action was a response to e-scooter riders continuing to break road rules.“While the majority of people do use e-scooters responsibly, unfortunately, we’re seeing too many riders continue to disregard the rules when it comes to e-scooters,” Mr. Weir said.
“The time for leniency is over, the e-scooter rules under the government trial have been in effect for some time now, so there is no excuse for not knowing what you can and can’t do on an e-scooter.”
Acting Inspector Michael Tsaloumas added there would be no further tolerance for failure to adhere to safety regulations.
“We know e-scooters are a convenient transport option to get around—but they need to be used responsibly, for the safety of all road users. We’re seeing far too many riders involved in collisions with pedestrians on footpaths and around transport hubs, with some resulting in significant injuries,” he said.
“Riders must adhere to the rules, including not riding on the footpath and wearing a helmet at all times—those who don’t will be held to account and face significant penalties,” Mr. Tsaloumas said.
Pedestrian Safety Concerns Spark Opposition
While e-scooters offer an eco-friendly transportation solution and reduce carbon emissions, they have faced opposition from disability advocates.They say discarded scooters on footpaths are a hazard for those with restricted mobility or using a wheelchair. A study conducted by Royal Melbourne Hospital detailed that 247 riders and nine pedestrians were treated for scooter-related injuries in 2023.
Shane Hryhorec, a member of the disability advisory committee challenged the trial of scooters in the local government area of Yarra in 2023. Mr. Hryhorec told radio station 3AW that his path was impeded by e-scooters.
“I’m a quadriplegic and I use a wheelchair, I live in Richmond and anytime I want to go to the shops or go visit a friend and I have to use the footpath, I’m finding that day to day, the footpaths are blocked by e-scooters.”
Despite such concerns, the Victorian government confirmed the trial’s continuation on April 3.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said that scooters will become permanent in the trial areas from October 2024 after regulatory settings are finalised.
“E-scooters are here to stay—they’ve proven popular among commuters, especially shift workers, providing an additional option to travel home safely,” she said.
Legislation Around the World
E-scooter legislation varies significantly worldwide, reflecting different approaches to integrating this mode of transportation into urban mobility frameworks.In the UK, e-scooters are currently only legal on private land, with public road use potentially up for debate in 2026.
Their use is seen as legally thorny as most scooters are classed as vehicles, despite often being slower than permitted e-bikes, and are not equipped with rear lights or registration plates.
European views are more liberal, and e-scooters are popular in Germany, France, and Spain, where they have been made legal, but riders are subjected to laws around speed, usage, and safety regulations.
Laws in the United States vary between states. For example, New York City prohibits riding on sidewalks, Chicago has designated parking zones and speed limits, and Seattle mandates helmet use for all riders over 16.
