Key points
- E-scooters and e-bikes are two-wheeled vehicles, usually powered by batteries.
- They are convenient and environmentally friendly forms of transport, but they can cause serious injuries.
- In Victoria, people of all ages must wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter or e-bike.
- It is illegal for children under age 16 to ride e-scooters in Victoria.
- Speed, road rules, and safe riding skills help prevent crashes.
- You can reduce your child’s risk by supervising them and setting clear safety expectations.
What are e-scooters and e-bikes?
E-scooters and e-bikes are motorised versions of scooters and bikes. They usually have small, battery-powered motors that help them move.
- E-scooters are electric-powered scooters that you stand on.
- E-bikes are electric-powered bikes that you sit on. In Australia, all e-bikes are hybrid with pedals – a motor cannot be the only way to move the bike.
Both e-scooters and e-bikes are convenient, cost-effective, and better for the environment than other forms of transport, such as driving a car. However, they can lead to serious injuries.
Why are e-scooters and e-bikes dangerous?
There are a few main reasons why e-scooters and e-bikes are dangerous.
- Riders often travel faster than they realise, which reduces reaction time to hazards like potholes.
- Cars may not always see fast-moving e-scooters or e-bikes.
- Small wheels can get stuck in potholes and tram tracks, and slip on uneven surfaces.
- Many injuries happen when riders fall, lose control, or crash into others.
- Without proper protective gear, such as helmets, these injuries can be life-threatening.
These dangers can happen to people of all ages. However, children are at higher risk as they have less experience with road safety.
Injuries from e-scooters and e-bikes
Emergency departments across Victoria are seeing more injuries from e-scooters and e-bikes.
Some of these include:
- Broken arms and legs
- Head injuries, including concussion and other brain injuries
- Cuts, scrapes, and facial injuries
- Internal organ injuries from high-speed falls
- Mouth injuries from going over the handlebars.
Wearing a helmet and following the rules can prevent many of these injuries.
Victorian laws around e-scooters and e-bikes
Age
If your child is riding an e-scooter or e-bike for the first time, make sure they start in safe, low-traffic areas. You should supervise them while they get used to riding.
E-scooters
Your child must be age 16 or older to ride an e-scooter in Victoria. This includes privately owned e-scooters and rental e-scooters.
E-bikes
There are no age restrictions for riding e-bikes in Victoria.
Helmets
A properly fitted helmet protects the head and brain. In Victoria, everyone must wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter or e-bike.
Helmets should:
- fit snugly and sit level on the head
- have a firm but comfortable chin strap
Replace the helmet after a crash or if it has cracks. A damaged helmet offers much less protection against serious head injury.
Speed
E-scooters
The maximum legal speed to ride an e-scooter on public roads and paths in Victoria is 20km/h.
This is because faster speeds make it harder to brake and increase the severity of injuries.
- Teach your child to slow down near pedestrians, driveways, and busy areas.
- Never let your child remove or adjust the speed limiter on their e-scooter.
- Do not allow your child to install any modifications or upgrade kits.
E-bikes
E-bike riders must not exceed the road speed limits.
For an e-bike to be legal, it must have:
- A maximum continuous rated power output of no more than 250 watts
- Motor assistance that cuts off at 25km/h
- Pedals that work.
Any e-bike with a higher power output or motor speeds above 25km/h is considered a motor vehicle.
Other e-scooter and e-bike rules
- E-scooter and e-bike riders must use front and rear lights if riding at night or in low light
- E-bike riders must follow Victorian bicycle road rules
- Both e-scooter and e-bike riders cannot:
- ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- use a mobile phone while riding
- fail to stop at traffic lights
- It is illegal for e-scooter riders to carry other passengers or pets.
- E-scooter riders cannot ride on roads with speed limits above 60km/h.
Helping your teen stay safe on an e-scooter or e-bike
If your child rides an e-bike or is old enough to ride an e-scooter, there are some key ways to help them stay safe.
- Lead by example and model good behaviours for your child if you ride an e-scooter or e-bike
- Always wear safety gear, and follow the riding laws
- If you wear a helmet, your child is far more likely to do the same
- Insist your child always wears a helmet – no matter how short their journey
- They should also try to wear bright colours and consider other protection, such as knee pads
- Teach your child to follow well-lit routes with bike lanes and slower traffic
- Encourage your child to avoid distractions while riding, such as phones and headphones
- Set clear rules with your child about safe riding behaviours
- Discuss directions, road rules and safe speeds
- For example, ask them to check in with you before they go for a ride
- Remind your child to check their equipment regularly
- This includes checking brakes, tyres, lights, chains and the battery before each ride
- Talk openly with your child about peer pressure and the dangers of showing off or taking risks
- Teach your child what to do if they fall or crash, such as who to call for help.
Common questions about e-scooters and e-bikes
Are e-scooters less safe than e-bikes?
Both e-scooters and e-bikes can be dangerous. E-scooters have small wheels and a high centre of gravity; these features can make them less stable and more likely to crash on uneven surfaces. E-bikes travel faster downhill, increasing the risk of high-speed falls.
Does my child need a license for an e-bike?
Your child does not need a license for an e-bike, as long as it has a power output of less than 250 watts and motor speeds up to 25km/h. If the e-bike exceeds these limits or has a throttle, it may be classed as a motor vehicle and therefore require a license to ride.
Is it legal to share an e-scooter with another person?
In Victoria, e-scooters are single-rider only. It is not legal to share an e-scooter with another person – even if it is big. This is because sharing an e-scooter increases the risk of falls.
Can my child ride their e-scooter or e-bike on the footpath?
No one can ride e-scooters on footpaths.
Children under age 13 can ride e-bikes on footpaths; however, they must follow bicycle rules such as keeping to the left and giving way to pedestrians. People older than 13 cannot ride e-bikes on footpaths unless they are accompanying someone under the age of 13.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Trauma department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed December 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.