Acting Inspector Brad Fisher, City of Greater Shepparton councillor Rod Schubert, Mayor Shane Sali, Superintendent Brett Kahan, Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy and Cr Fern Summer.
Pedestrian and trader safety is the main priority for a dedicated enforcement taskforce that is cracking down on the use of e-scooters and other recreational vehicles in Greater Shepparton’s central business districts.
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Those who ride the vehicles on any footpath or in any public place, other than a road, that is not inside a designated area permitting the activity, are being warned that they could face on-the-spot infringement notices of $200, and have their vehicle impounded.
“Police have been issuing fines and warnings for unsafe e-scooter use, and, unfortunately, we’ve already seen a number of collisions this year,” Superintendent Brett Kahan said.
“These crashes have very real impacts, not just for riders, but for families, pedestrians and the wider community.”
Greater Shepparton City Council began installing signage and footpath decals in the Shepparton CBD and Mooroopna and Tatura main streets on September 22, to remind residents and visitors about the legal and safe use of e-scooters and recreational vehicles.
Mayor Shane Sali said the rollout was driven by concerns raised by residents and traders in Shepparton, Mooroopna and Tatura.
Shepparton, Mooroopna and Tatura police will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to people who break e-scooter and recreational vehicle laws now that signage and footpath decals have been installed in high foot-traffic areas of the city and towns.
“Victoria Police will manage and maintain fair and consistent enforcement, with council supporting this through community education,” Cr Sali said.
The recreational vehicles can still be used on shared paths in the region, provided they and their riders comply with Victorian legislation.
“From October, there’s really strict limits around the riding of e-scooters, not only here, but around Victoria,” Acting Inspector Brad Fisher said.
“You can’t ride them if they go over 20km/h. You can’t ride them if you’re under 16 years of age, and if you choose to ride them, you can’t ride them on the footpath, and you must wear a helmet wherever you do ride them.”
Superintendant Kahan said Operation Target Blue saturated the CBD with uniformed police officers and authorised officers, who can issue the $200 fines.
“We will be taking a zero-tolerance attitude to this, because if you erect the signage, and council have worked with us on this, you must enforce,” he said.
“That’s our job.”
Residents are encouraged to contact their local police station to log incident reports relating to the misuse of recreational vehicles.
