Riding Rules - Victoria :

Riding Rules, Victoria

Last updated 20 September 2023

Neuron sets localised Riding Rules to protect the safety of our Users and the general public. It is important to familiarise yourself with these Rules every time you ride. Failure to comply with these Riding Rules can result in a suspension or termination of your account.

These Riding Rules apply to your access and use of our electric motorised standing kick scooters and power assisted bicycles (each a “vehicle” and collectively the “vehicles”).

You must always abide by all applicable road rules, in particular the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, parking requirements, service period restrictions, and any other relevant laws, regulations or restrictions imposed by relevant authorities or by Neuron. Learn more about Victoria’s rules, offences and penalties for the e-scooter trials on the VicRoads website here.

1. RESPONSIBLE RIDING

1.1 To ride our vehicles you must:

1.1.1 be at least 16 years of age and, if under 18 or the age of majority in your State or Territory, have the consent of a parent or legal guardian;

1.1.2 be in good health and not have any existing physical, mental, medical or other condition that may impair your ability to safely operate the vehicles;

1.1.3 not be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, drugs, medication, or any other substance that may impair your ability to operate the vehicle safely and in a manner that is considerate to pedestrians, cyclists and all other road and pavement users;

1.1.4 be the only rider (never allow someone else to ride your vehicle);

1.1.5 not carry passengers, including but not limited to other adults, children, infants (in baby carriers or otherwise), or carry or otherwise lead any animal including pets and service animals etc.;

1.1.6 keep under the weight limit of 120kg for bicycle use and 140kg for scooter use (total weight, i.e. rider and cargo);

1.1.7 not be carrying items weighing more than 10kg in total and/or items that may impede your ability to safely operate the vehicle, including but not limited to bulky, oversized or imbalanced items;

1.1.8 not use any phone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch, music player, mobile electronic device, headphones, earphones or any other device that might distract you while riding;

1.1.9 not ride in adverse weather conditions, including but not limited to heavy rain, lightning storms, monsoons, windy conditions, typhoons, hurricanes, cyclones, tropical storms, flooding, storm surges, haze, fog, smog, dust storms, reduced visibility conditions, hail, heavy snow, and icy conditions;

1.1.10 not use the vehicle for racing, tricks, stunts, or in any other manner other than for personal transport;

1.1.11 not ride in a dangerous or reckless manner, or cause a nuisance, distraction or inconvenience to other road or path users;

1.1.12 stay vigilant, keep a lookout for hazards and other road or path users; and

1.1.13 ride in a safe and respectful manner, keep a safe distance, be considerate of other road or path users, specifically pedestrians and ride at a speed that does not put yourself or others at risk.

2. STARTING AND ENDING A TRIP

2.1 Before starting a trip:

2.1.1 inspect the vehicle for defects;

2.1.2 test the brakes, both mechanical and electric, lights, horn, throttle, pedals and chain (for bicycle) are in working order;

2.1.3 wear a helmet (whether provided by Neuron or otherwise) and other personal protective equipment as necessary and as mandated in your jurisdiction; and

2.1.4 ensure that you can adopt a safe and comfortable riding position on the vehicle (e.g. always have both hands on the handlebars to ensure proper control of the vehicle and always sit (for bicycles) or stand (for scooters) facing forward).

Do not use the vehicle if it does not pass the above tests, or is otherwise unsuitable for operation.

2.2 When ending a trip:

2.2.1 return the vehicle in the same condition as when you started the trip, normal wear and tear permitting;

2.2.2 deploy the kickstand and park in an upright position on steady ground; and

2.2.3 If you used a helmet provided by Neuron for the trip:

(a) for a vehicle equipped with a helmet lock, return the helmet to the locking mechanism fitted to the vehicle and make sure it is locked securely (if this is not done you may be charged a replacement fee when you end your trip, as further set out in the Neuron Terms of Service); or

(b) for a vehicle not equipped with an operational helmet lock, clip the helmet to the vehicle’s handlebars using the helmet strap and notify Neuron of the faulty locking mechanism.

2.3 When parking:

2.3.1 park only in the designated parking areas indicated in the Neuron app;

2.3.2 park the vehicle in a safe and responsible way, having regard for other path users;

2.3.3 park at least 1.5m away from any buildings and keep the edge of the road clear to allow access to and from the road, including space to open car doors;

2.3.4 do not park the vehicle:

a) on roads, outside the service area or in any designated no-parking zones indicated in the Neuron app;

b) on any footpaths narrower than 1.5m and keep busy footpaths clear;

c) on landscaped areas or by leaning the vehicle on any tree, building, pole, street furniture or any other structure;

d) in restricted public areas, the pedestrian zone of a public footpath or pathway, or in areas that could block public footpaths or hinder access for people with vision impairment, including tactile ground surface indicators, guides, steps, rails, etc;

e) where it may pose a safety hazard or cause an obstruction, including interfering with access to common corridors, doorways, entrances, fire and emergency infrastructure, stairwells, inspection holes and chambers, on-site fuel fill points, paths, public servicing and maintenance work, within a bus zone, adjacent to disabled car parking bays or any other place where it can interfere with pedestrian access generally or access to amenities etc.;

f) within restricted access private areas which will prevent other users from accessing the vehicle (e.g. within a condominium compound, within a commercial property, within a school compound, inside a residential property); and

g) where doing so would be in breach of applicable traffic rules, and any other relevant laws and regulations (federal, state, local or otherwise).

3. DURING A TRIP

When riding in Victoria, observe the following:

3.1 For scooters:

3.1.1 you must:

a) abide by the Road Safety Act 1986 and Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019, as required under the Victorian Government Gazette No. S616 Tuesday 9 November 2021;

b) ride on paths wherever possible;

c) keep left of oncoming bicycles and other personal mobility devices; and

d) only use the bicycle side of a shared path.

3.1.2 you may:

a) ride on separated footpaths and shared paths (unless otherwise prohibited); or

b) ride on roads, but do not ride on a road with a speed-limit above 60 kilometres per hour unless:

c) you are crossing the road by the shortest safe route (other than a children’s crossing, pedestrian crossing or marked foot crossing); and

d) you do not stay on the road longer than necessary to cross safely.

3.2 you must not:

a) ride on any footpath (including separated footpaths designed for pedestrian use);

b) exceed 20km/h or a lesser speed if required in the circumstances to stop safely to avert danger;

c) ride alongside another rider or pedestrian travelling in the same direction unless you are overtaking them; or

d)enter an area where electric scooters are prohibited.

3.2 For bicycles:

3.2.1 you must:

a) always give hand signals when preparing to turn right, diverge right, or when changing lanes to the right.

3.2.2 you may:

a) ride on footpaths (but not separated footpaths designed for pedestrian use); or

b) ride alongside one rider on a multi-lane road (not on a marked lane) or to overtake the other rider.

3.2.3 you must not:

a) ride over 1.5 metres from another rider on a marked lane or a single lane road; or

b) enter an area where bicycles are prohibited.

3.3 For any vehicle:

3.3.1 you must:

a) always obey applicable laws and road rules, in particular the Road Safety Road Rules 2017;

b) always ride in bicycle lanes where available, unless it is impracticable to do so;

c) stay off all controlled-access roadways or expressways, freeways, motorways or highways;

d) stay within the riding zones as marked on the Neuron App and comply with all applicable curfews and any other riding restrictions (including speed limits) imposed by relevant authorities or by Neuron;

e) when at a crossing or intersection, stop and look for on-coming traffic or pedestrians before proceeding;

f) travel at a safe speed that allows you to stop safely to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or motor vehicle and comply with any low-speed zones that may be enforced where you are riding;

g) travel at a safe distance from a pedestrian or motor vehicle so you can avoid a collision;

h) keep a lookout for road signs and markings, and obey them;

i) ensure that you have adequate visibility at all times, and can be seen by fellow road users, use the on-board lights when necessary; and

j) stop riding immediately if the vehicle malfunctions, the battery level is low, or the vehicle cannot be ridden safely.

3.3.2 you may:

a) ride in bus lanes, however you should maintain a safe distance from buses and not obstruct them.

3.3.3 you must not:

a) cause a traffic hazard, nuisance, distraction, or inconvenience to other road or path users, including by moving into the path of a driver or pedestrian; or

b) carry the vehicle on public transport.

4. WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT

4.1 If any third parties are involved, then you must NOT RIDE AWAY.

4.2 You must stop if any property has been damaged or if anyone is injured, and provide your name and address and any insurance details to anyone who needs it.

4.3 Similarly, you should ask any other party who is involved for a name, address, and their insurance details.

4.4 As soon as reasonably possible after any accident you should tell us here or through the Help or feedback functions in our App.

4.5 We may ask a number of questions about the accident, such as when, where, and how it happened, and whether any third parties were involved.

4.6 You should not admit any fault or make any offers or promises etc. to any third party that was involved at any time without speaking to us or the insurance company first.

4.7 Information on Ride Insurance can be found on the Neuron App and here.

5. OTHER RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Do not retain the vehicle in your possession after a trip. This includes keeping the vehicle within your property.

5.2 Do not fail to pay usage or other fees and charges as they become due.

5.3 Do not transport the vehicle other than by riding it, including on public transport.

5.4 Do not ride or transport the vehicle outside of the designated riding areas.

5.5 Do not prevent or obstruct other users from using the vehicle after completing a ride (e.g. by locking the vehicle with an external device).

5.6 Do not open, modify, disassemble, remove components, or otherwise tamper with the vehicle in any way.

5.7 Do not retain possession of personal protective equipment provided by Neuron, including helmets, after completing a ride. Attach these to the vehicle for use by the next rider (see also 2.2 When ending a trip)

5.8 Do not use the vehicle for commercial activities or purposes (e.g. courier, food delivery, promotional activities, rideshare) without Neuron’s prior written consent.