The CEO of the Committee for Ballarat has welcomed an expansion of e-scooters across Victoria.
On Friday, it was announced that share hire e-scooters will be allowed to operate across the state, after a trial run in the city.
Fines will also increase for offences, including riding an e-scooter on the footpath, not wearing a helmet, drinking alcohol while riding and underage riding.
Michael Poulton says the scooters are part of a way to decongest our streets and reduce the need for car parking and has also noted its economic boost.
“The data suggests that people who ride e-scooters are less likely to drive their car, pick up a takeaway coffee and leave,” he said.
“They’re more likely to drive to a place, enjoy a sit-down cup of coffee and a muffin that goes along with that. We’re putting more money back into the economy because we are spending more time in and around particularly hospitality venues than we otherwise might be.”
