E-scooter riders could face hefty fines if caught riding illegally. Photo: Nikki Bailey.
The death of a 51-year-old man who was hit by an Electric Rideable Device (ERD) in the Perth CBD at the end of May has sparked a state-wide ERD police-targeted enforcement operation.
The police initiative is focussed on speeding, riding under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, phone use, rider ages and helmets.
Senior Sergeant Chris Taylor said Esperance police would continue to deal with e-scooter infringements as per WA e-Ridable laws.
“My officers will not be targeting electrical ridable devices but if we see something we’ll deal with it,” Senior Sergeant Taylor said.
“There’s been [ERD] instances we are aware of but certainly not to the level that’s happened in Perth.
“We don’t see a lot of it unless there’s a second or third party involved – the hospital would see more with injuries I imagine but we don’t often get advised of any accidents if it’s just a single person falling off the scooter.
Senior Sergeant Taylor said ERD punishments were dealt with on a case-by-case basis but the fines could be hefty.
“[Infringements] while using your phone are pretty much exactly the same as driving a car,” he said.
“Aggravated use of a mobile phone (texting) while riding is a thousand bucks and $500 if you are just on the phone.”
On May 31, British backpacker Alicia Kemp, 24, was riding an e-scooter intoxicated when she collided with pedestrian Thanh Phan at 20-25km/h in central Perth.
It is one of more than 300 serious e-scooter crashes in 2025, according to St John Ambulance.
