Bikes, e-scooters clocked three times the limit on Brisbane bridges

Bicycles and e-scooters have been clocked at almost three times the speed limit over some of Brisbane’s busiest shared bridges. See the worst-affected bridges.

Bicycles and e-scooters have been clocked recklessly zipping along at almost three times the speed limit over two of Brisbane’s busiest shared bridges.

A Sunday Mail investigation has revealed a shocking 100 per cent of riders on the Kurilpa Bridge and 98 per cent on the Goodwill Bridge were clocked above the limit.

A survey of the speed of more than 100 riders on the Goodwill Bridge between 4pm and 5.30pm showed only two riders were travelling the 20km/h required speed.

While a survey of more than 50 riders between 9am to 10am showed no riders were travelling the required 10km/h on Kurilpa Bridge.

Pedestrians and cyclists on Goodwill Bridge, South Bank, Monday, July 24, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker

Riders on the Goodwill Bridge were caught going as fast as 38km/h, and on the Kurilpa Bridge they were caught going 28km/h.

Charlotte Grahame walks over the Goodwill bridge about three to four times a week and says she gets quite concerned she might get hit.

“The scooters especially go pretty fast along the green strip up there and when you try to overtake people they will come pretty close to you and ring their bells and stuff,” she said.

“They are a bit speedy.

“Quite often they come really close to you, bikes as well, they should definitely be going slower.”

Pedestrian Kaitlin Steele with 'Millie' on Goodwill Bridge, South Bank, Monday, July 24, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker

Kaitlin Steele walks the route with her dog Millie and is worried something might happen because they are going so fast they won’t be able to stop.

“People do quite quickly down the middle,” she said.

“They also can be a bit aggressive if you are trying to go around someone who is going slower than you then they snark at you or say something kind of nasty but that’s just my experience.”

A Queensland Police spokesman said they were committed to enforcement against personal mobility devices and cyclists who choose to break the law.

“The Goodwill Bridge and Kurilpa Bridge are both locations targeted by police, chosen due to complaints from the public about the speed and behaviour of some riders,” he said.

Cyclists are speeding on Kurilpa Bridge. Pictured is a sign informing users about the shared zone.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said if everyone was doing the right thing and stays safe no-one would get a fine.

“I expect all road users to obey the road rules, whether they are driving a car, riding a bike or walking on a footpath,” he said.

Cyclists exceeding the limit by less than 11km/h could face a fine of about $309 and those speeding by no more than 20km/h could get slapped with $464.

While there are speed limits for cyclists on some bridges, there is no limit for cyclists on all other Brisbane footpaths unless otherwise signed.

Ben and Matilda Hugo at the base of Kurilpa Bridge. Ben is worried about the speed at which some people use their bikes and e-scooters around town, especially when he is travelling with his daughter.

Ben Hugo who regularly walks with his daughter said there needed to be limits put in place.

“Sometimes you don't have the reaction time, when you have a little one,” he said.

“You just don’t have that time so people should be travelling at a decent speed.

“It is a worry because everyone seems to think, everything’s as fast as you go.”

The Courier-Mail clocked more than 90 cyclists and e-scooter riders commuting along the bike path near Lower River Tce, Kangaroo Point, between 6.30am and 8am.

Pedestrians and cyclists at New Farm Riverwalk, Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker

The fastest bike rider clocked in at 34km/h. The fastest e-scooter rider was going 30km/h.

A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman said as it has previously said it supports investigating changes to Queensland legislation to introduce varied speed limits for cyclists and e-mobility users.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said local governments can install speed signs on high-volume paths with reduced speed limits.

“Personal mobility devices (PMD) have default speed limits of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths and 25km/h on bike paths and separated paths,” he said.

“Bike and e-scooter riders must obey all signed speed limits on roads and paths.”

Pedestrians and cyclists at Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point, Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker