since 2018
in 2.5 years
Did you know?
- 3305 people have presented to 26 participating Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit emergency departments in Queensland as a result of an e-scooter ride gone wrong between 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2023.
- The serious injuries caused from e-scooter crashes are likely be highly under-reported given not all emergency departments provide data and not everyone injured seeks medical help.
- Fractures, dislocations and head injuries were among the top 5 types of injuries. This is a stark reminder that PMDs are not toys, and serious injury can occur.
- New rules and increased penalties now apply for people riding personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters in Queensland. Learn more about them here.
E-scooter safety
Listen to a personal story about the potential dangers of riding an e-scooter.
Understand the basics
It is up to all of us to keep our roads and footpaths safe. Here’s some rules to help minimise the chance of a crash and the risk of serious injury. Significant fines apply, in some cases more than $1,000.
Always wear a helmet and fasten the straps
You must wear either an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet to protect you from the risk of serious head injuries. Fines of more than $160 apply.
Don’t drink and ride
Don’t drink and ride. It is illegal to ride whilst intoxicated (drugs or alcohol), and extremely dangerous. Take the risk and you’ll get a date with a magistrate.
12km/h on footpaths and shared paths
Ride safely and slowly on paths where pedestrians may be present. Police enforce 12km/h speed limits on footpaths and shared paths. Fines of more than $640 may apply.
25km/h on bike paths and roads
25km/h is the maximum speed you can ride anywhere. Remember this is the limit, not a target. A safe speed may be much lower than this, depending on the conditions. Police enforce speed limits. Fines of more than $640 may apply.
Know where you can ride
Footpaths, shared paths and bike paths are ok. Also allowed on:
- local 50km/h or less roads with no road markings, or
- bike lanes on roads where the speed limit of the road is 50km/h or less or, where the bike lane is physically separated from the road.
Leave your phone alone when riding
It is illegal to hold your mobile phone or have it resting on any part of your body while riding a PMD. Fines of more than $1200 apply.
Doubling up on PMDs is not allowed
PMDs are built for one person only at a time. It’s against the law to carry another person, no matter how small, including children. Fines of more than $160 apply.
PMD riders must be 12 years old or older
They are designed for riders at least 16 years of age, or 12-15 years, with adult supervision2.
Be visible at night (light and reflector)
Your PMD must have working front and rear lights when travelling at night or in hazardous conditions.
Warn pedestrians as you approach
If your PMD has handlebars, like an e-scooter, you must have a bell fitted. Sound your bell respectfully to alert pedestrians as you approach. Slow down to pass.
Safe parking
Park your PMD in designated parking areas. Otherwise, park on the kerbside. Don’t block the path and keep clear of kerb ramps, building access and exits and tactile ground surface indicators. Do the right thing. Poor parking creates problems for other path users, particularly people with a disability.
General road rules apply
Obey the road rules including traffic lights and signs, keeping left on roads and giving way. Fines apply.
Stop and help at the scene of a crash
If you are involved in a crash with anyone (for example, pedestrian, car, bike, e-scooter), you must stop, remain at the scene and provide assistance to any injured person – this can include calling an ambulance. These obligations apply on all roads and road related areas, such as footpaths, shared paths and bikeways. Significant penalties for hit and run incidents apply. Penalties for non-serious incidents are more than $3000 and can include imprisonment.
Be aware if your lithium battery is damaged/impacted in a crash, it may become a fire risk. Read more information on what to do here.
Providing information after a crash
If you are involved in a crash, you must exchange contact details, including name and address, to any other person involved in the crash, anyone else injured in the crash or the owner of any property damaged in the crash. These obligations apply on all roads and road related areas, such as footpaths, shared-paths and bikeways. Fines of more than $400 can apply.
Avoid careless riding
It is an offence for a PMD or bike rider to ride without due care and attention on all roads and road-related such as footpaths, shared-paths and bikeways. Be conscious of the safety of path users and avoid riding behaviours that will put yourself and others at risk. Avoid actions such as dangerously swerving in and out of pedestrians on a crowded path or riding at an unsafe speed around a blind corner where other path users might be present. Court imposed fines of more than $6000 can apply.
View the full rules and practical tips for using PMDs safely in the Tools & Tips section.
View the TMR site for additional details, including PMD rules and fines.
Rules for Riders
Where to ride
- Footpaths, shared paths, bike paths or the bike side of a separated footpath.
- PMDs can also use bike lanes on roads where the speed limit is 50km/h or less. Remember the maximum speed you can ride is still 25km/h.
- Any bike lane that is physically separated from the road, regardless of the speed limit (for example, the CityLink cycleway in the Brisbane CBD).
- Local streets where the speed limit is 50km/h or less and there is no dividing line or median strip.
- Any road for up to 50m to avoid an obstruction on a path or in a bike lane.
- Across a road via the shortest safe route. But if there is a crossing within 20m, you must use it.
- Don’t ride where these devices are prohibited.
- Always give way to pedestrians, and travel at a safe speed and distance from them. Ducking and weaving close to pedestrians is dangerous for both the pedestrian and PMD rider.
- Keep to the left while riding wherever possible.
Changes to PMD rules
New rules and increased penalties now apply for people riding personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters in Queensland. This includes new rules and penalties for careless riding and post-crash obligations on road related areas.
Other changes from 2022 include:
- Reducing speed limits to 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths, unless otherwise signed. The 25km/h limit remains for all other infrastructure, including bike infrastructure and local streets.
- Increasing fines of up to $1209 for dangerous offences involving speed, illegal road use and holding a mobile phone while riding.
- Allowing personal mobility devices to be ridden in bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, and all on-road bike lanes that are physically separated.
- Mandating bells for personal mobility devices with handlebars.
- Aligning personal mobility device riders with bike riders to ensure they are required to follow general road rules, such as stopping at red lights.
The PMD rule changes also affect different groups of road users and pedestrians. View how it will affect cars, bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians here.
1 Preliminary emergency department injury data for period November 2018 – June 2021, commencing when hire e-scooters became available, for three Brisbane hospitals only.
2Small foot powered scooters with 200 watt max and 10km/h max motors are allowed for use by children of any age, and are classified as wheeled reactional devices.
The more powerful PMD e-scooters capable of higher speeds, such as those available by hire companies, are age limited to 12-15 years (with adult supervision) and 16 years and above (unsupervised). Learn more.