While e-bikes and scooters are becoming more popular as a mode of transport, police have raised concerns about the safety of these vehicles.
Sergeant Shift Supervisor of Beaudesert Police Station, Andrew Robinson, is working to raise awareness about the safe use of e-scooters and e-bikes among students and ensuring compliance with the regulations that underpin their use.
“While these personal mobility devices (PMDs) have become an increasingly popular and convenient mode of transport, the growing number of incidents, injuries, and unsafe behaviour involving e-scooters and e-bikes is a significant concern for the community,” Sergeant Robinson said.
To ensure the safety of riders and the community, police and the Department of Transport and Main Roads urge people to understand their legal responsibilities when operating personal mobility devices (PMDs).
This includes e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards, solowheels and similar devices.
The following regulations apply:
Who can ride
Riders must be at least 16 years of age to ride an e-scooter.
Children aged 12 to 15 years can ride but must be supervised by an adult.
There is no age limit for who can ride e-bikes.
Passengers are not allowed to double on e-scooters, regardless of age or size.
E-bikes can carry passengers if it is designed to.
Riders must always wear a helmet when operating a PMD.
Where to ride
E-scooters can be ridden on footpaths, shared paths, separated bike paths, on-road bike lanes with a speed limit of 50km/h or less and local streets with a speed limit of 50km/h or less.
E-bikes are permitted to ride wherever bicycles can ride except on motorways or where no bicycle signs are installed.
Speed limits
The maximum speed e-scooters can travel is 25km/h.
Riders should ensure they adhere to a 12km/h speed limit on footpaths and shared paths unless signed otherwise.
E-bike riders must follow the signed speed limits on paths, bridges, roads and bikeways.
The motor assistance on e-bikes should only be used up to 25km/h.
Riding rules
General road rules still apply to PMDs – including don’t drink and ride, leave your phone alone and give way to pedestrians on paths.
Riders must obey give way and stop signs, be visible in the night (have a light and reflector), ring the bell to warn pedestrians of your location and park the PMD safely, keeping in mind of pedestrians.
E-bikes must have an electric motor, can only be throttle powered and cannot have motors more than 250 watts.
If you are involved in a crash, riders must stay on the scene, render help and provide contact details whether on or off the road.
PMD penalties
Riders can be fined up to $667 for speeding, $166 for no helmet, $1251 for using a phone while riding, $166 for double riding, $200 for riding on a prohibited road and $1640 for illegal devices considered non-compliant motorcycles.
For more information, visit https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au.
