The announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into the use of e-mobility devices, including electric scooters and bikes, has been welcomed amid growing safety concerns about their use.
The inquiry will be established by the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee and focus on the benefits, safety risks, rules, enforcement and importation laws around the devices.
The state government said there was a 112 per cent rise in injuries to of personal e-mobility device (PMD) riders, passengers and pedestrians from 2021 to 2024. Tragically, eight PMD users died last year.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, who is also the Member for Buderim, said he was committed to improving safety for all road users and pedestrians.
“The increase in injuries and deaths we are seeing because of unsafe and unlawful riding cannot be ignored and I share the community’s concern,” Mr Mickelberg said.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
“We want to hear from community members, road use groups, disability advocates, health and trauma experts, academia, the e-mobility industry and all levels of government.
“It’s important we consider all research and opinions, to ensure a safe and reliable future for e-scooters and e-bikes, especially as we welcome visitors from all over the world for the 2032 Games.”
Related stories
- Drone technology used to track e-scooter and e-bike offenders
- Emergency department jolted by e-scooter-related injuries
- Dad fined after kids allegedly ride unregistered e-bikes
- Police intent on bringing e-riders into line
Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton, who has provided recommendations from first responders, local community groups and residents on what reforms are needed to increase safety around PMDs, welcomed the announcement.
“The Noosa community appreciates the announcement following our advocacy and call for action last parliament sitting to see an end to the unlawful riding and illegal e-motorbikes,” she said.
“May this inquiry, and recommendations from it, deliver real improvements for safety on our roads and pathways.”
Ms Bolton’s attempts to have the committee report delivered by August 1 this year failed. It will instead be due by March 30, 2026, which she called “deeply disappointing”.
The RACQ has also welcomed the state government’s announcement of the parliamentary inquiry, after years of advocating for reforms.
General manager of advocacy Joshua Cooney said the inquiry was a necessary and sensible step towards change.
“We cannot deny that e-scooters have become a popular mode of transport across the state and will continue to become increasingly important in the mobility landscape,” he said.
“Our members and the research tell us that we must find ways to co-exist and make them safer for all road users.”
The club has been calling for major changes to e-scooter rules following research that revealed presentations to emergency departments are becoming more frequent and more severe in Queensland.
Severe facial and head injuries have become a major concern for hospitals.
RACQ has been advocating for full-face helmets to be mandatory for people using private stand-up e-scooters and for hired scooters to transition to more stable sit-down scooters that have a lower centre of gravity.
“We are looking forward to making a detailed submission to the inquiry and working with the government to make all personal mobility devices safer,” he said.
