Queensland e-scooter riders caught speeding will face fines ranging from $143 to $575 under the new tiered fine system.
New e-scooter rules and fines came into effect in Queensland today, one of them a hefty fine of up to $1078 for using a phone while riding.
The new rules that come in from Tuesday November 1 bring state legislation for e-scooters, or personal mobility devices (PMD), in line with cycling laws.
There will now be new speed limit rules in place for e-scooters, with riders limited to 12km/h when riding on footpaths and 25km/h on bike paths and roads. Changes also include allowing PMDs to be ridden on bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, and all on-road bike lanes that are physically separated.
PMDs were previously classified as pedestrians and were not supposed to be ridden on roads under the old rules.
Queensland riders caught speeding will face fines ranging from $143 to $575 under the new tiered fine system. The previous fine for speeding was a fixed amount of $191.
Following general road rules like stopping at red lights is now required and equipping e-scooter handlebars with bells is mandated.
The fine for drinking alcohol while riding has been increased to $431, doubling (two or more people on a scooter) and not wearing a helmet both carry a fine of $143, and the heaviest is $1078 for using a phone while riding.
Riders between 12 and 16 years old are supposed to have an adult supervising them and it is illegal for children under 12 to ride a PMD in Queensland.
The changes are meant as an attempt to prevent reckless use of e-scooters and injuries to riders and pedestrians around Queensland.
There has been close to 1,000 emergency department presentations in central Brisbane from November 2018 to May 2021. 10 deaths have been caused by PMD accidents since they were introduced to Queensland in 2018.
