Queensland government announces crackdown on e-scooters ahead of new safety reforms

Reckless e-scooter riders will be targeted by police with speed limits on some Brisbane footpaths slashed, fines increased and new safety rules coming into effect.

Police have launched a crackdown on reckless e-scooter riders across Brisbane’s CBD with a sweep of safety reforms set to come into effect from November.

It comes as new footage shows police fining an e-scooter rider, who appeared to be riding in the bicycle lane, at the end of Victoria Bridge on Tuesday morning.

It is unclear whether the e-scooter rider was also speeding.

The Queensland government has announced a crackdown on e-scooters. Picture: Julianne Osborne

From November 1, speed limits on some footpaths will be halved to 12kmh, while e-scooters will need to be equipped with warning devices, such as a bell.

Enforcement powers to take non-compliant devices off the streets will also be introduced under the first tranche of reforms, as well as increased penalties for riders who break the rules.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said “e-scooters are an emerging form of transport, and they aren’t going anywhere”.

“That’s why it’s important we have a plan on how we improve safety for e-scooter riders, and for those who use our cycleways, footpaths and roads.”

He said police had launched “behaviour blitzes” aimed at cracking down on rule-breaking riders – with a focus on urban areas of Brisbane where e-scooter usage is particularly high.

Police are conducting a week-long operation targeting the dangerous riding of personal mobility devices (e-scooters and e-skateboards) around Brisbane City.

A Police media spokesman said since Monday, almost one third of infringements issued have been for exceeding the speed limit.

“All speeding infringements and almost half of the infringements issued for not wearing helmets have been issued to those riding private personal mobility devices,” he said.

“Today alone, 25 infringements were issued to riders not wearing a helmet and seven for exceeding the speed limit.”

The operation will conclude on Sunday.