With a rise in the popularity of electric bikes and scooters, Melton police are urging riders to understand and follow safety guidelines and laws.
According to Melton Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable Aaron Chavasse, the laws around these vehicles are often misunderstood.
“The main issue with e-scooters is that the rider needs to be over 16 years old and they need to wear a bicycle helmet – penalties apply if you are caught disobeying these rules on an e-scooter,” Leading Senior Constable Chavasse said.
With e-bikes, he said that the police often see parents misunderstand the laws, “in that they believe it is an electric device and not deemed a motor vehicle.”
“They are familiar with the compliant e-bikes, so they believe these modified bicycles with e-bike conversion kits installed are also compliant. However, most of them are not compliant, with the main issues being they don’t have a chain connecting the pedals to the rear wheel – and depending on the kit installed can travel up to [between 50 kilometres and hour to 90 kilometres an hour],” he said.
“Every teenage rider we have come across over the last [three or more] years, have all been aware that their modified e-bikes – motorbikes – are illegal. They either lie to their parents or just don’t tell them.”
Along with the laws, Leading Senior Constable Chavasse said those who do not wear a helmet on an e-scooter can suffer significant injuries including head and face trauma “causing lifelong medical issues.”
He said riders often dressed in all black, use little to no lighting, and weave through traffic or on foot paths at speed.
Leading Senior Constable Chavasse also reminded riders that the same drink driving laws apply to electric vehicles and are subject to roadside alcohol and drug testing.
He also said that those caught illegally riding the electric vehicles and evading police can be charged and have their drivers licence affected, and if found guilty at court, face consequences affecting future employment, travel, and insurance claims.
Further details on the laws and regulations are available on the Transport Victoria and Victoria Police websites.
