E-scooter riders in Victoria will face more rules and the threat of harsher fines when the vehicles become a permanent fixture across the state later this year.
Following a two-year trial, private and rental electric scooters will be permanently legalised from October.
The state government on Friday announced fines will increase for using e-scooters on footpaths, with a new penalty for riding without a helmet increasing from $247 to $395.
There will also be new offences for dinking (carrying a passenger) and if a passenger does not wear a helmet.
Fines for other offences have risen to $296 for riding on a footpath, $395 for riding under the influence of alcohol, $296 for riding under the age of 16, $247 for dinking, and $346 for speeding.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said while e-scooters were here to stay, there had been safety concerns.
"That’s why we have thoroughly assessed their use and are introducing some of the toughest new laws in the country to make e-scooters safer," she told reporters.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said there had been too much rule-breaking and hoped the increased penalties will deter this in the future.
"If you see two people double-dinking on a scooter, not wearing a helmet riding on a footpath, that's a $1500 fine, that's a week's wages," he said.
"If that doesn't get the message through to people that we are serious about behaviour change around scooters, then nothing will."
The changes follow calls from the Australian Medical Association in December to introduce stricter rules after a study by the Royal Melbourne Hospital found 247 riders and nine pedestrians were treated for injuries in 2023.
The state government is also planning to introducing mandated new technologies that stop scooters working if riders are not following the rules.
This would include detecting whether a helmet is connected, if the rider is parking in the right place or testing whether they have been drinking.
New legislation will be introduced in state parliament next year that will extend the powers of Protective Service Officers, allowing them to enforce e-scooter road rules.
