Helmet mandates, GPS limits and fines coming for e-scooters

The Transport Legislation Amendment (Vehicle Sharing Scheme Safety and Standards) Bill 2025 establishes a centralised regulatory framework under the Department of Transport and Planning, seeks to streamline operations, improve safety, and provide consistency for councils, operators, and users of shared micromobility services. 

During her second reading speech in the Legislative Assembly Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Public and Active Transport, said the schemes had introduced a ‘useful and popular mode of transport’ that has helped ease congestion and provide affordable, short-distance travel options for Victorians.

She noted that the devices have become a staple in Melbourne’s transport landscape, particularly for first and last-mile connections to public transport.

‘Whilst e-scooters provide many benefits in terms of transport and mobility, there have been issues with e-scooters, hired as part of a sharing scheme, being ridden on footpaths or parked in a way that blocks access. 

'The sharing scheme standards will address these issues by requiring operators of sharing schemes to implement systems, technologies and other safety measures.’

The bill introduces enforceable safety standards, including mandatory helmet provision, GPS-based zone and parking management, footpath detection and speed control, intoxication detection and rider identification. It also empowers Protective Services Officers to issue fines.

“ 'There have been issues with e-scooters, hired as part of a sharing scheme, being ridden on footpaths or parked in a way that blocks access.' ”

Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Public and Active Transport

The bill follows a statewide trial that began in Ballarat in December 2021 and expanded to select Melbourne councils in early 2022. The trial required riders to follow road rules, including helmet use and speed limits. With millions of trips logged over three years, the government announced in July 2024 that the trial would conclude in October, paving the way for permanent regulation.

Speaking in support of the bill, Richard Welch, Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan, highlighted the transformative potential of e-scooters and e-bikes in promoting active transport.

'This legislation is a step in the right direction,' he said. 'It encourages active lifestyles, reduces congestion, and offers mobility options for people of all demographics.'

He also emphasised the need for foresight in transport planning, suggesting innovations such as Myki-enabled scooter rentals.

But he noted the bill could go further in ensuring safety.

'You can hack into the software to remove the speed-limiting elements in the software. These bikes can actually go a lot faster than they are programmed to do if you hack them. They can go up to speeds of 40 or more kilometres per hour. Being hit by a bike at 40 kilometres an hour on a footpath when you are not expecting it can have very, very tragic outcomes, and there was a gentleman who was severely injured by just such a situation,' he said.

Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Michael Galea, praised the bill’s safety provisions, noting that they address real-world concerns such as footpath clutter and rider behaviour.

'This is a straightforward, sensible bill,' he said. 'It ensures that as e-scooters grow in popularity, they do so safely.'

“ 'Being hit by a bike at 40 kilometres an hour on a footpath when you are not expecting it can have very, very tragic outcomes.' ”

Richard Welch, Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan

One issue raised during the debate was the potential ban on e-scooters and e-bikes on public transport, following a fire incident on a train.

David Limbrick, Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan, questioned the logic of singling out public transport, arguing that broader safety considerations should be applied consistently across settings.

'There are many people throughout the community that use them to access public transport because they live a bit far away from the train station and the buses might not be very convenient to get to the train station.’

He urged the public to participate in the government’s consultation process, warning that a ban could disproportionately affect older Victorians and those without access to cars.

Katherine Copsey, Member for Southern Metropolitan, said the Greens supported the bill but called for more cohesive infrastructure and governance and criticised the fragmented council-by-council approach.

‘As it stands, the City of Melbourne has banned share hire scooters altogether, while Yarra has effectively done so by raising fees by 400 per cent.’

She warned the patchwork approach ‘brings to mind colonial governments who built railway networks of different gauges before federation’.

'Will racks of scooters from competing firms, lined up on the borders of Melbourne’s local government areas, become the modern-day equivalent [of the Albury train gauge change]?’

She advocated for satewide interoperability to prevent users from being stranded at council boundaries, as well as dedicated scooter parking bays and protected lanes.

Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria clarified that that while councils can set additional conditions, the Department of Transport and Planning will oversee operator approvals and compliance.

'This bill is about road safety,' she said. 'It reflects the changing nature of transport and ensures that e-scooters are managed responsibly.'

The full debate can be read in Hansard.