News

E-scooter safety push in Campaspe

By Emily Donohoe

Sep 22, 2025

Campaspe Police Service Area Highway Patrol Sergeant Andrew Neil wants e-scooter users to be aware of the road rules. Photo: AAP Image/Diego Fedele

With e-scooters increasing in popularity, Victoria Police is urging riders to follow the road rules.

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There are specific rules that electric-powered scooter, or e-scooter, users must follow, including:

Riders must be 16 years or older
Helmets must always be worn
E-scooters can only be taken on roads with speed limits up to 60 km/h
Mobile phones must not be used
No passengers or animals
E-scooters must only be driven on roads, no footpaths

Alcohol and drug restrictions also apply. The legal blood alcohol percentage on a compliant scooter is 0.05, regardless of age or motor vehicle licence status.

E-scooters must also be compliant with Victorian specifications, this means:

A maximum speed of 25km/h
Designed for one person, either seated or standing
With wheels, a handlebar for steering, and a footboard

Non-compliant e-scooters may be treated as a motorcycle, and require a motorcycle licence and stricter conditions, including 0.00 BAC.

Campaspe Police Service Area Highway Patrol Sergeant Andrew Neil said that while the majority of riders were doing so safely, some may not be aware of their obligations on the road.

“Many, many people are doing the right thing, and that’s really good,” he said.

“But it’s like anything to do with police enforcement ... we’re looking at those that are doing the wrong thing.

“And sometimes it is about education.”

There are significant penalties for those who are caught breaking the rules.

This includes the fine for a non-compliant scooter of $1018, riding on the footpath is $305, or being caught without a helmet, which is $407.

“We see, probably not so much locally, but we see in the bigger centres the serious injuries from collisions and some fatalities around these scooters,” Sgt Neil said.

“If you do fall off, hit your head; you’ve got a helmet, you’ve given yourself every opportunity to survive and also not have a serious injury.”

As more people use e-scooters, it is also important for drivers to be aware of their fellow road users.

Sgt Neil emphasised the need to continuously check for hazards.

“Obviously be aware of your surroundings, that situational awareness,” he said.

“You can't hear the e-scooters.

“Check your mirrors when you come up to an intersection, check the bike lane if you’re turning ... even reversing out.”

Victoria Police has a webpage dedicated to e-scooter road rules, accessible at police.vic.gov.au/electric-powered-scooters-e-scooters

It is also important to remember that e-scooters remain illegal in NSW for personal use.

Some trials of shared e-scooters have been looked at in specific locations, but on the whole, they are not currently legal.