Sandy’s advocacy for safety improvements and better enforcement in shared spaces such as pathways, and also for better compliance monitoring of regulations by users of electric bikes and scooters has continued. As per our October 2023 Noosa 360 update, in response, welcomed reforms were introduced in the form of the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 last year.
The Bill passed in Queensland Parliament last sitting and expands the application of careless riding offences for personal mobility device and bicycle riders from roads to all road-related areas such as footpaths and bicycle paths and requires riders to stop and provide their details in the event of a crash.
The rise of battery powered bikes and scooters has been a common sight on our streets and pathways. However, they can be intimidating with their speed, weaving in and out of walkers, causing accidents. The Royal College of Surgeons reported in their submission to the bill that data from 20 emergency departments across Queensland shows around 100 emergency department presentations from e-scooter injuries a month.
These bikes and scooters have been the source of many community concerns expressed to Sandy, mostly for speed and their impact of pedestrians. At the same time, adding additional modes of transport reduce unnecessary car journeys, and the impacts from. The trick is to get the right balance, with this bill a step in the right direction in efforts for greater safety.
Brisbane CBD Bicycle User Group called the new maximum fine of $6,192 as unnecessarily over-reaction, however the department has stated that the penalty aligns with the existing penalty for driving a vehicle (other than a motor vehicle), a tram, a train, or an animal on a road without due care or attention.
Improvements in infrastructure and greater enforcement of the rules are vital in increasing safe use of e-mobility devices. Queensland Tourism Industry Council stated that micro-mobility providers must educate users on road rules before they can use their devices, and we should create more micro-mobility only pathways incorporating safe wayfinding routes and signage specifically for these. In response Transport and Main Roads (TMR) acknowledged the need for better separate infrastructure, and Sandy looks forward to some action on this.
If you witness any breaches of the Queensland Road Rules, we encourage you to report these to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) by emailing Policelink at policelink@police.qld.gov.au or by calling on 131 444. All information received by our police assists them in determining best compliance monitoring and where hotspots have developed.
Rules for e-scooters and other PMDs can be found at www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices. In addition, rules for electric bikes are available at www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/electric-bicycle-rules
We welcome all community feedback for further advocacy to our office on 5319 3100 or via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au
Education in schools
As mentioned in our previous Noosa 360 update, given the popularity of electric bikes and scooters with young people, we enquired with the Queensland Minister for Education’s office to see if education in schools has been considered. The following has been provided in response:
Individual schools work with their communities and agencies such as the Queensland Police Service to educate students and parents regarding the use of e-scooters relevant to their local community context.
Schools have the option of delivering road safety as an elective topic in Senior Health (2019) as outlined in the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority syllabus.
Schools make decisions about the context in which the safety focus area of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education is taught in line with the needs of students and the local community. This may include e-scooters.
Parents can contact their school principals to seek advise on their policy and safety use of e-scooters. They can also contact their local police station to see what they offer as well.
Further information
For those wishing to contact the relevant Queensland Minister, please email transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.
For our previous Noosa 360 update on electric bikes and scooter, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Electric+Bikes