New rules for e-scooters have been unveiled in Queensland amid growing safety concerns as they surge in popularity.
The move follows calls for a crackdown especially on the Gold Coast with Surfers Paradise residents claiming they’ve been forced to avoid walking along The Esplanade.
The speed limit for e-scooters will be restricted to 12km/h but they will be allowed to be ridden in more areas including bikeways to discourage riders from using footpaths.
The state government will also work with councils to limit where e-scooters can be parked.
A comprehensive safety campaign will also be launched as part of the initiative.
“We are seeing far too many injuries in e-scooter users that are the result of speeding and many pedestrians feeling unsafe on footpaths,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
“Our footpaths are there for everyone so e-scooter riders will need to slow down on footpaths to 12 km/h in future.
“We are seeing far too many injuries in e-scooter users that are the result of speeding and many pedestrians feeling unsafe on footpaths.
“Our footpaths are there for everyone so e-scooter riders will need to slow down on footpaths to 12 km/h in future.”
Doctors on the Gold Coast this week pleaded for e-scooter riders to take extra care following a steep increase in people ending up in hospital after e-scooter accidents.
The Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital treated 126 people for e-scooter injuries in 2021.
There were 21 people injured in December alone, an increase of at least 20 per cent.
Around 42 per cent of people injured in e-scooter accidents on the Gold Coast were aged between 34 and 53.
