Privately-owned electric scooters are no longer banned and younger riders can hit the road as part of a six month extension to the Victorian e-scooter trial.

Currently, the only e-scooters legally allowed to hit the road are those available to hire through companies but that’s set to change from Wednesday.

Anyone aged 16 or over wearing a helmet will be allowed to travel in bicycle lanes, shared paths and roads with a speed limit of 60 kilometres an hour or less.

The scooters are not allowed on footpaths, must not go more than 20 kilometres an hour and only one person is allowed onboard at a time.

E-scooters capable of travelling more than 25 kilometres an hour remain banned.

All riders must follow the same blood alcohol content and drug rules as drivers.

More than 3.7 million trips have taken place in Melbourne and 200,000 in Ballarat since the trial kicked off in early 2022.

“We know e-scooters are popular with many Victorians – so we’re extending the trial in Victoria under these strict regulations to ensure people travel responsibly and safely,” Road Minister Melissa Horne said.

– AAP