Despite an e-scooter crash in Logan killed a teenage boy earlier this month, a council committee has accepted a proposal to allow a second e-scooter company to trial its devices in the City of Logan.
It was the second e-scooter-related incident which left a young person critically injured in Logan this year, after a crash at Holmview in February.
The trial agreement with an e-mobility company in Logan will be the second of its kind in six months after Beam Mobility Australia was signed up in November.
After the City Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee was given an update on the current trial with Beam on Tuesday, the latest deal with global transportation company Helbiz was debated in council.
Councillors Lane, Bannan and Stemp voted against a motion to extend the current trial period with Beam by six months and enter into a 12-month agreement with rival e-mobility company Helbiz.
Division 1 Councillor Teresa Lane said her constituents had concerns with the current trial, mostly relating to the scooters blocking footpaths while not in use and also users passing pedestrians at high speeds.
“I propose we approve the extension of the Beam trial but reject the move to approve a secondary company until we have issues raised by my residents resolved to their satisfaction,” Cr Lane said.
She said the proposal needed to be reconsidered.
“These are our ratepayers’ footpaths and their concerns must be utmost in our minds when we make decisions on their behalf,” she said.
“Having a new player coming into the market without those standards set would be a mistake in my estimation.”
A council spokesperson said the trial with Beam allows for short trips around Underwood, Slacks Creek, Springwood, Logan Central, Woodridge and Meadowbrook and the hire vehicles are automatically slowed in busy pedestrian areas, in shopping precincts and around Logan Hospital.
Councillor Tony Hall backed the plan, arguing it would encourage the adoption of greener transport options.
“Part of our obligation as a human race is to move away from previous carbon fossil fuels,” Cr Hall said.
The proposal comes after a 15-year-old boy died in Queensland Children’s Hospital after being involved in an electric scooter crash earlier this month.
He died less than a week after being admitted to hospital with head injuries.
It’s understood he lost control while riding south on the footpath along Basalt Drive, Yarrabilba when he came off and struck his head.
Bystanders performed first aid and CPR at the scene until emergency crews arrived at the scene.
New rules for e-scooters were unveiled in Queensland earlier this year amid growing safety concerns as they continue to surge in popularity.
“It’s hard to miss how successful the uptake of e-scooters has been here in Queensland, from the Coast up to Cairns,” Transport minister Mark Bailey said.
“E-scooters are an emerging form of transport, and they aren’t going anywhere – if anything, their use continues to gain popularity with those who want to leave the car at home or connect with public transport.
“High-risk offenses” including; speeding and using a mobile phone while riding on prohibited roads will have increased penalties under the plan to be finalised later this year.
Under State-legislated Bylaws and the Transport Operations Act, council has jurisdiction over the use of motorised vehicles in council parks and on council-owned land.
The Bylaws and Act address the use of powered bicycles but currently do not reference the riding of e-scooters on local government-owned land.
