They’re some of the hottest new items for Christmas, but new regulations about to drop for riders of ‘eRideables’ could also mean big new fines.New
On December 4, rules surrounding e-scooters, electric unicycles, electric skateboards, electric rollerskates, one-wheel electric scooters and hoverboards will come into effect.
These laws for riders include:
- Riders of electric-powered devices capable of speeds up to 25km/h must be aged over 16
- Children under 16 are limited to motorised scooters with a maximum speed of 10km/h or 200w power output
- eRideables will be limited to 10km/h on footpaths and under 25km/h on bicycle paths, shared paths and local roads where the speed limit is under 50km/h
- Similar road rules to driving a car apply, including no drink or drug driving and a ban on mobile phone use
- Helmets and lights and reflectors at night are compulsory
Fines include:
- Anyone caught exceeding the 10km/h footpath speed limit could be fined 100
- Fines for speeding over posted local road limits range from $100 to $1200
- Riding without sufficient lighting will incur a $100 penalty
- Riding with no hands on the handlebar, failing to wear a helmet or not giving way to a pedestrian will attract a $50 fine
- Mobile phone use, including texting, watching a video, viewing a photograph while riding will attract $1000.
The new regulations will bring WA into line with Queensland, the ACT and New Zealand.