Nick Kyrgios laughs off e-scooter criticism as NBA legend Andrew Bogut brands Victoria a nanny state

Former Australian basketball champion Andrew Bogut has weighed in on the Nick Kyrgios scooter debate, criticizing the Victorian public as a “nanny state”.

Kyrgios is a magnet for controversy and began his Australian Open to fresh criticism after he was seen cruising the streets of Melbourne on an electric scooter with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, neither wearing a helmet.

Victorian laws on commercial e-scooters state that you must wear a helmet when operating the vehicle, which can reach speeds of 20 km/h.

That regulation gave former NBA No. 1 draft pick and champion Bogut the willies, who regularly posts social comments on his Twitter account.

What a nanny status! Fine him for not taking his OWN safety seriously,” she posted with a series of clown emojis.

Kyrgios and his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi were photographed on an electric scooter without a helmet in Melbourne, which could see them in trouble with the police.

Former NBA champion Bogut slammed Victoria as “such a baby state” after speculation that Kyrgios and Hatzi could be fined for their e-scooter ride.

Kyrgios himself chimed in, replying: ‘nah, it’s too much now’ with a series of laughing emojis.

One Victorian was quick to reply: ‘You get fined for not wearing a seatbelt too, should we be mad about that too?’

‘Personal responsibility. People wonder why the government is in everyone’s business. Start small, replied Bogut.

Former Australian doubles champion and current Channel 9 commentator Todd Woodbridge also mentioned the incident, saying: “It doesn’t look good.”

Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge said that the image of the e-scooter

Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones added: “You never know what to expect from Nick Kyrgios when he heads off to a tournament. You never know what to expect from Nick Kyrgios when he wakes up in the morning.

Bogut’s supporters were divided on whether Kyrgios should be fined for his actions.

“Hopefully @NickKyrgios makes up for this by wearing a top hat walking onto the pitch,” one replied.

‘Seat belt and helmet tickets for people over 18 are theft and not a safety issue. people can decide for themselves,” added another.

‘Melbourne is starting to stink in the worst way. Let’s be more like Las Vegas,’ said another.

‘No one in Japan wears a helmet. Do not use seat belts in the back seat of cars. I recently returned home and could not believe what we have become. Most Australians don’t see it because they are evolving with it. The old ‘She’ll be right’ now comes with a $200 fine,’ posted another.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia speaks during a press conference during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14.

Others were quick to mention that the ‘nanny state’ would have to pay medical bills if Kyrgios crashed.

Recent data from Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit shows that 427 people attended emergency departments in Victoria with injuries from e-scooters in 2021/22, an increase of 234 per cent on the previous year.

‘But what about the people in the emergency service who need to attend to a fool? When you could care for really sick people. YOUR security is YOUR problem,’ responded one Twitter user.

People are seen riding Lime electric assist scooters in Melbourne in 2022. More than 400 people attended emergency departments in Victorian hospitals after the scooters crashed.

‘And when you fall and sustain a head injury that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, who pays for your medical treatment? The same nanny state you are planting. Sometimes the nanny state is right,” posted another.

‘How about the impact on hospital emergency rooms, doctors and the medical system from head injuries sustained? ER visits have skyrocketed with increased use of electric scooters. We use seat belts for similar reasons in cars. Studies have shown that they save lives, similar to bicycle helmets,” said another.

You are also endangering the lives of others. Disgrace, replied another.