By Natasha Fujimoto
WHETHER you love them or hate them, there’s no denying the growing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters. With more than one million Victorian students now back at school, safety concerns have again come into sharp focus, particularly around the use of personal mobility devices.
RACV Head of Policy, James Williams ,has stressed the importance of parents understanding the legal restrictions designed to protect children and teenagers who use e-bikes and e-scooters.
“Electric bikes and electric scooters are not toys. E-scooters are illegal for children under 16 to use on Victorian roads and footpaths, and they pose risks to both riders and pedestrians, particularly given they can travel at speeds of up to 25 km/h,” Mr Williams said.
Following a multi-year trial that began in 2021, the Victorian State Government, primarily through the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), introduced permanent laws in late 2024 and 2025 aimed at improving safety for riders, motorists and pedestrians.
These laws include a range of fines and penalties to enforce maximum speeds, power limits and permitted riding locations. In parallel, RACV is funding statewide research into e-scooter injuries to better understand crash causes and risk factors. The findings are expected to be published later this year.
The study aims to identify predictive factors that can be eliminated or reduced to improve safety for riders, pedestrians and other road users.
Nationally, 14 fatalities have been recorded in connection with e-bikes and e-scooters. Males aged 15–24 are statistically more likely to present to emergency departments, with head, neck and upper-limb injuries the most common. In response, RoadSafe Goulburn Valley (RSGV) is working to raise awareness about the risks associated with these vehicles, particularly e-bikes.
RSGV Executive Officer and Secretary, Bill Winters said e-bike riders are vulnerable road users, and the organisation is committed to building a strong culture of road safety across Greater Shepparton.
Through education and awareness, RSGV encourages all road users to share the road responsibly. Parents are urged to guide young riders on safe riding behaviours, road rules and the use of appropriate safety equipment, especially as students return to school. Local e-bike and e-scooter retailers can also provide valuable advice and support.
To find out more about safety regulations around e-scooters and e-bikes head to https://transport.vic.gov.au/
