With Christmas around the corner and e-bikes on wishlists, here’s what every Melbourne parent should know before their child’s next ride. Another Melbourne family is grieving.
A 14-year-old boy has died after a crash on an electric bike in the northern suburbs. Behind the headlines are devastated parents, shocked friends, and a community asking:
“How do we make sure this doesn’t happen to our kids?”
As a lived-experience road-safety speaker based in Melbourne, I see another problem too: most parents aren’t sure what’s even legal anymore when it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters – or how dangerous they can be in the wrong conditions.
And right now, as Christmas approaches, e-bikes and e-scooters are sitting on a lot of wishlists.
Before any of us roll one out from under the tree, we need to be clear on the rules, the risks and the conversations that keep our kids safe.
The Basics: What Parents Need to Know
This is a general guide only – always check official Victorian government sources for the latest rules.
E-Scooters
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Age: 16+
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Helmet: Mandatory
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Speed: Up to 20 km/h while riding, and only on roads up to 60 km/h and shared paths
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Not allowed: Footpaths, passengers, high-speed roads
E-Bikes
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Helmet: Mandatory
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Motor power: Up to 250 watts
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Assistance: Motor cuts out at 25 km/h
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Passengers: Only if the bike is built for more than one rider
Many parents think “it’s just a bike”, but fines for no helmet, riding where it’s not allowed or carrying passengers can be substantial. More importantly, a crash at 25–40 km/h with no protection can change a life in a second.
Thinking of an E-Bike or E-Scooter for Christmas?
If an e-bike or e-scooter is going to be a Christmas gift, the real present should be knowledge, not just speed.
Before you buy or unwrap:
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Check it’s legal – speed and power limits matter.
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Wrap a helmet with it – no helmet, no ride.
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Set family “ride rules” – where they can ride, when, and with whom.
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Talk openly about danger – traffic, speed, mates, phones, showing off.
A shiny new e-bike without these boundaries is like handing over car keys without ever mentioning red lights or seatbelts.
A 5-Question Parent Checklist
Before your teen rolls out the driveway, ask:
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Is my child old enough for the device they’re using?
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Are they always wearing a helmet?
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Are they riding only where it’s legal?
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Does their bike or scooter meet legal power and speed limits?
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Do they understand no phones, no earbuds, no doubling mates?
If you can’t answer yes to all five, there’s a gap to close before the next ride.
It’s Not Just About Rules – It’s About Conversations
In our sessions with teens, parents and sporting clubs across Victoria, the real turning point is usually a simple conversation at home:
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“What would you do if your mate wants to race?”
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“What if the bike feels too fast, but you don’t want to look soft?”
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“How would you get home if you don’t feel safe riding?”
These are the moments where one choice – just like getting in a car with the wrong driver – can change everything.
I share my own story of a night on the road that changed my life, and help young people look at risk, peer pressure and resilience in a different way. It’s not about scaring them – it’s about giving them tools to choose differently.
Want to Go Deeper? Book a Session with Safe Roads For Us
If you’re a parent, grandparent or carer in Toorak and beyond and you’re:
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Considering an e-bike or e-scooter as a gift, or
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Worried about your teen’s driving, lifts and late-night trips home,
you don’t have to navigate it alone.
To learn more or book a session : CLICK HERE AND REGISTER
We can’t change what has already happened on our roads. But we can honour those lives by treating these devices not as toys, but as powerful machines that demand respect – and by having the conversations that might stop the next tragedy before it ever makes the news.
