E-scooter riders will be limited to 12km/hour on footpaths and shared paths, and 25km/hour everywhere else under new state laws.
New laws come into effect in November
Applying to e-scooters, e-skateboards and other personal mobility devices, the reforms include speed limit reductions, new fines and mandating warning bells.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey made no apologies for cracking down on reckless e-scooter use.
“The fact of the matter is that many people who use e-scooter are doing the right thing – they are an easy, convenient and environmentally friendly way to get around,” Mr Bailey said.
“We want every person who uses our footpaths, bikeways and bike lanes to be safe from harm, and these reforms go a long way in tightening the Queensland road rules around this new technology.”
The changes include:
- Reducing speed limits to 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths, unless otherwise signed. (The 25km/h limit on all other infrastructure, including bike infrastructure and local streets remains).
- Increasing fines of up to $1078 for dangerous offences involving speed, illegal road use and holding a mobile phone while riding.
- Allowing PMDs to be ridden in bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, and all on-road bike lanes which are physically separated.
- Mandating bells for PMDs with handlebars.
- Aligning PMD riders with bike riders to ensure they are required to follow general road rules, such as stopping at red lights.
Mr Bailey said one of the biggest changes was a tiered increase to speeding fines, similar to what is used for bikes and motor vehicles to better reflect the risks of increased speeds.
“Speeding fines will range from $143 to $575 depending on how far over the speed limit you are travelling,” he said.
“This reflects the danger posed to those around you, and reflects a suitable deterrent to minimise the risk of reoffending.
“All these changes have been developed in close consultation with key stakeholders, including riders, rental and retail suppliers, police, RACQ, Bicycle Queensland, local councils and disability advocates.
“E-scooters are here to stay and their riders have an equal responsibility to road safety as motorists, cyclist, truck drivers and motorcyclists. It’s important they’re safe for the riders and those they interact with on our footpaths and roads.
“A lot of work has gone into making sure these rules are best practice for the safety of both the rider and other path and road users around them.”
The changes come after the Personal Mobility Action Plan was released in June 2022.
Mr Bailey said more work was to come, including around a safe parking structure.
“A key action item of the roundtable late last year was the safety of parking, and accessibility of our footpaths, as raised by disability groups,” he said.
“We are working closely with councils and hire companies to implement a parking program that keeps e-scooter out of the way of pedestrians and will hopefully have some trial solutions in place shortly.
“This is something I’m passionate about finding a solution for, and is an important one for the community, so I look forward to continuing this work with Councils who I thank for working with us on it.
“Further reforms around drink and drug riding are also being finalised and we expect to have those announced next year.”
FAST FACTS
- lower speed limit of 12km/h on footpaths
- Increased fines of up to $1078 for dangerous offences involving speed, illegal road use and holding a mobile phone while riding.
- Mandating bells in addition to helmets and lights
- Allowing access to bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, and all on-road bike lanes that are physically separated.
- aligning personal mobility device riders with bike riders to ensure they are required to follow general road rules, such as stopping at red lights.
PENALTIES
- Exceed speed limit by:
- 1-13km/h = $143
- 14-20km/h = $215
- 20-30km/h = $359
- >30km/h = $575
- Not wear a helmet = $143
- Doubling (two or more people) = $143
- Mobile phone use while riding = $1078
- Drink liquor while riding = $431
- Use on prohibited road = $172
