The Queensland Government has moved to accept, or accept in principle, all 28 recommendations made by a Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility safety.
The reforms will be introduced to Parliament this week and include:
- restricting e-mobility devices to over 16s and requiring e-mobility device riders to hold a valid license to ensure they have road rule knowledge and are capable of safe riding;
- introducing speed limits (10km/h on footpaths, and 25km/h unassisted) to better protect pedestrians;
- tough and fair penalties for riders to crack down on dangerous behaviors that contribute to serious injuries and fatalities;
- new powers for police to seize and destroy illegal devices, and the introduction of random breath testing for riders;
- tougher action for retailers and suppliers who will now be held accountable for selling illegal devices.
More than 6,000 injuries related to e-scooters have been reported at Emergency Departments across 36 Queensland hospitals between 2022 and 2025.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg said the Government was making Queensland safer through the nation-leading reforms.
“From the start, we said we would make the tough decisions to deliver nation leading reforms and get dangerous e-scooters and e-bikes off Queensland streets,” said Minister Mickelberg.
“Labor funded and put illegal e-scooters and e-bikes on the streets, while we’re removing them.
“Our reforms strike the right balance between keeping Queenslanders safe from those who do the wrong thing, while backing the Queenslanders who do the right thing.
“The bill we will introduce to Parliament this week is evidence of our commitment to fixing Labor’s mess and getting on with our plan to make Queensland safer.”
