A spate of recent e-scooter crashes has prompted an urgent safety reminder from Sunshine Coast Police.
It comes as an increasing number of underage riders over the school holidays have been flouting the law, sparking complaints from concerned residents.
Most recently on Thursday morning (January 12), one patient was taken to hospital after two e-scooters collided at Currimundi, while another was hospitalised following a separate incident at Aroona.
On January 3, two teenagers were flown to hospital after the e-scooter they were riding crashed into a car at Alexandra Headland.
While investigations are ongoing, Queensland Police said initial information indicated that a 13-year-old Mountain Creek boy was riding an e-scooter with a 13-year-old Buderim girl as a passenger.
Then on January 8 a patient was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after a crash between a vehicle and motorised scooter at Mountain Creek.
Meanwhile on January 9 a man in his 20s was taken to hospital after an e-scooter incident in Buderim.
Officer-in-charge of highway patrol Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho told Sunshine Coast News the recent incidents raised several concerns that all personal mobility device (PMD) operators, and parents of children using them, should be aware of.
He also confirmed an increase in complaints relating to e-scooters, especially after Christmas, when the number of young riders had jumped.
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PMDs can include e-scooters, e-bicycles, e-skateboards or self-balancing one- or two-wheel devices.
“Sunshine Coast Police would like to remind parents that children under 12 years must not ride personal mobility devices,” he said.
“Children over 12 years and under 16 years must be supervised by an adult whilst using a personal mobility device.
“You must not carry another person when riding a personal mobility device. Not even children.
“When you ride a personal mobility device, you must wear an Australian Standard-approved bicycle helmet or an approved motorbike helmet. You must securely fit and fasten it.”
Mountain Creek residents Paul and Christine Nichols have expressed their concerns as they continue to see youths dangerously riding in their neighbourhood.
“We are staggered by the number of young people, a lot of the time two on a scooter, racing around at breakneck speeds,” Mr Nichols said.
He said the majority of riders he saw were not wearing a helmet and often using a mobile phone while riding at speed.
“We are not against the e-scooters and e-bikes, just very concerned for the safety of the riders and people around them,” he said.
On November 1, 2022, new laws came into effect to further legislate the use of personal PMDs.
Updates to the legislation included reducing the speed limit to 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths, unless otherwise signed.
The 25km/h limit applies everywhere else, including bike lanes and local streets.
Riders can now be fined up to $1078 for dangerous offences involving speed, use on prohibited roads and holding a mobile phone while riding.
Riders must comply with all general road rules including stopping at a red light and signalling, either with indicator lights or hand signals.
PMD riders who break the road rules will be given the same fines as motorists, but will not accumulate demerit points.
For a full list of the rules, visit here.
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