The next meeting of Neighbourhood Watch East Gippsland will be held at the Bairnsdale RSL at 10.30am on Wednesday, August 13.
Guest speaker will be Bob Carter from our local SES. Bob will also be happy to answer any questions. All residents are welcome to attend NHW meetings.
Neighbourhood Watch East Gippsland has passed on the following information from Victoria Police in regards to the use of e-scooters:
Use of e-scooters is legalised in Victoria.
You can legally ride an e-scooter in Victoria if you:
– Ride on shared-use paths (not on footpaths), or roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h
– Are at least 16 years old
– Wear a helmet
– Do not travel more than 20km/h
– Do not use your mobile phone
– Do not carry a passenger (dinking).
A legal e-scooter is defined as a vehicle that:
– Is designed for use by one person
– Has a maximum speed of 25 km/h when ridden on level ground
– Transports a person while the person is standing or seated
– Has two wheels (one in front of the other)
– Has a footboard between the front and rear wheels
– Is steered by a handlebar
– Does not weigh more than 45kg
– Is propelled by a motor, or by the person pushing one foot against the ground.
An e-scooter that falls outside the scope of this definition is considered an unregistered motor vehicle, and is liable to penalties.
Offending whilst riding an e-scooter may result in the loss of any driver licence or permit held.
Victoria Police may enforce laws including:
– Unlicensed riding
– Unregistered motor vehicle
– Failing to wear a helmet
– Riding on a footpath
– Careless riding
– Using a mobile phone while riding
– Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs
To enforce these laws, Victoria Police can:
– Stop riders and require them to state their name and address
– Require the rider to undergo alcohol and drug testing
– Impound privately owned e-scooters if relevant offending is identified
– Impose on-the-spot fines if offending is identified
– Issue charges to appear before a court if offending is identified
– Issue an immediate driver licence ban if offending is identified.
