Electric Scooter Law in Victoria (VIC)

Electric scooter law in VIC states that electric scooters are only allowed on footpaths and some roads if it has a maximum speed limit of 10 km/h and a maximum power of 200W. Unfortunately, since most electric scooters in the market offer specs higher than the requirement, most e-scooter riders can’t ride in public.

Riders with road-legal electric scooters must follow the road rules for wheeled recreational devices. Riders must also wear an approved bicycle helmet. Finally, the e-scooters must be equipped with at least one effective brake, and a bell or horn. When riding at night, e-scooters must also have a white light on the front, red light on the back, and a red reflector on the back.

The government is looking to increase the speed limit to 20 km/h but banning anyone under 18 years of age to ride. So far, there’s no news regarding this plan.

However, after conducting a survey in 2019, the government found out that almost 80 per cent of Victorians consider riding an e-scooter while almost 60 per cent would rather use an e-scooter than a car.

Because of this, the Victorian government has expressed their interest in running an electric scooter trial in three local government areas, which includes one regional and two metropolitan councils. The trials will run for up to a year and will help in determining if electric scooter road rules need to be adjusted to accommodate e-scooters.

For more information on the electric scooter regulations in VIC, please read the state’s guidelines.

Tips to keep yourself safe when riding an electric scooter

Whether you’re riding in public or on private property, follow these tips and practices to avoid collisions and minimise injuries. Remember that the best way to enjoy your rides is to ensure that you’re safe and secure.

1. Always wear protective gear

The e-scooter law in VIC requires riders to wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding. This is the most basic protection that all riders need to wear to minimise injuries in case of an accident. However, riders may also add more protection and safety by wearing other protective gear. This includes elbow and knee pads, eye protection and gloves. Riders are also encouraged to wear a reflective vest and install ample lights on the front and back when riding at night.

2. Ride responsibly

Always know and follow road rules and avoid driving your e-scooter recklessly. Some of the road rules that you should keep in mind are to ride below the speed limit, keep left at all times, give way to pedestrians and other incoming riders, and don’t ride on paths where you can’t travel. All of these will not only keep you safe but also keep you out of trouble from the law.

3. Ride the right type of electric scooter

The electric scooters in VIC are limited to a top spec of 200W motor and speed max limit of 10 km/h. So, if you need to ride in public, make sure that you have the right type of electric scooter that follows the state’s rules. Moreover, when riding on private property that has rough terrain, make sure to have the right kind of e-scooter to handle tough paths. This way, you can prolong the life of your e-scooter.

4. Avoid riding an electric scooter during harsh weather

Unlike riding a car, electric scooters make you vulnerable to weather changes such as extremely hot or cold weather as well as rainy days. Since paths can be slippery during these conditions, avoid riding an e-scooter to keep yourself safe.

Reasons to ride an electric scooter today

1. Make travelling easier

Thanks to the lightweight, compact, and foldable nature of e-scooters, riders can carry, fold, and store e-scooters easily. This means you can take your ride anywhere, so it can take you wherever you need to go. Moreover, e-scooter riders don’t need to worry about parking since e-scooters can be left on bicycle racks or brought inside the office or apartment. You can now have a convenient and efficient mode of transportation whenever and wherever.

2. Help reduce carbon emissions

Since electric scooters don’t need fuel and don’t emit any harmful gases, commuters can help reduce carbon emissions from road transportation. Moreover, encouraging commuters to ride e-scooters instead of cars can also help with reducing cars on the road and reducing the number of emissions from road transportation. In the long run, it will help reduce air pollution significantly.

3. Gain access to opportunities

If cities can make e-scooters available and accessible to commuters, it will give them more transport options to choose from. Moreover, having a convenient and efficient means of transportation can make it easier for you to access schools, shops, local attractions, and job opportunities within the city.

Electric Scooter Laws in Australia

Each state and territory in Australia has a different set of rules and regulations pertaining to the usage of e-scooters(including where e-scooters can legally be used and whether these products need to be registered with the relevant road traffic authority). Any user of an e-scooter must ensure that that they check and abide by their local by-laws and use responsibly. Ride with caution and always wear a helmet and protective gear when riding your Mearth e-scooter. Click here to learn more about E-scooter regulations in your state.

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