As per our February 2024 Noosa 360 update, reforms passed in Parliament, following advocacy, which 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. Further information is available at www.sandybolton.com/electric-bikes-and-scooters-update-february-2024.
These reforms provide police with more enforcement options; however, this is only one step in the right direction. Sandy’s advocacy will continue and recently we requested information on how these new laws will be applied to children when they are caught breaking them. In response the Queensland Minister for Transport has provided below:
The laws above apply consistently to all riders, regardless of age. Police officers can and do enforce these rules. In relation to children, police have established processes for conducting enforcement of minors. Serious matters can be prosecuted, and other diversionary options also exist under the Youth Justice Act 1992.
The laws will allow children to be fined/charged in the same manner as adults, though this implementation is ultimately reliant on the courts/police force.
Following resident feedback regarding introducing licensing and an age limit to ensure riders have both the proficiency and capacity to operate these devices safely, Sandy will be asking a Question on Notice to the Minister in Parliament. We will update once a response has been received.
Sandy has raised this previously, in April last year, with the former Transport Minister, their response at the time is available at www.sandybolton.com/electric-bikes-and-scooters-regulations-april-2023.
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 scooters, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Electric+Bikes