Shock video of e-scooter riders at Labrador Broadwater divides opinion

A group of six e-scooter riders zooming along a Gold Coast footpath has divided residents - but are they in the wrong? WATCH THE VIDEO

A Gold Coast resident has divided opinion after posting a video showing a group of six e-scooter riders zooming along a footpath in a beachside suburb.

Marita Kingston posted the video - captured at the Labrador Broadwater on Wednesday night - to a Facebook group along with the comment: “How is this legal?”

The innocent question prompted both criticism and support, with many labelling it a “Karen” complaint, while others called out the behaviour of the riders.

A group of five e-scooter riders can be seen in the clip shooting along a footpath one after the other as another is seen riding on the adjacent road.

A screenshot of the video showing scooter riders zooming down the Labrador Broadwater.

Ms Kingston said she posted the video after watching a number of near-misses involving e-scooters from her apartment balcony.

“The thing that surprises me is the lack of respect for other road users,” she said.

“You see it in Surfers, Ashmore and Benowa - it’s everywhere.

“I don’t understand how they get away with it.

“We’re all fed up to be honest.”

The Labrador woman said those who labelled her a “Karen” would quickly change their minds if one of their family members were injured by an e-scooter rider.

Surfers Paradise MP and scooter safety campaigner John-Paul Langbroek said residents from Main Beach to Kurrawa were sick of scooter hoons.

“The suggestion that our hard-working police should be enforcing speed limits flies in the face of reality,” he said.

“Recent Labor law changes to scooter rules around speed limits and rider protection are clearly ineffective.”

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek.

A police spokeswoman said no specific complaint had been made about the Labrador incident.

“Queensland legislation requires riders of personal mobility devices, which include e-transport devices like e-scooters and e-skateboards, when being ridden to: keep left and give way to pedestrians, travel at the right speed for where you are, travel at a safe distance from a pedestrian so you can avoid a collision and keep left of oncoming bicycles and other personal mobility devices.

“Riders must also wear an Australian Standards approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.”

Speed limits also apply to the devices, depending on specific locations:

Footpaths - 12km/h maximum

Shared paths -12km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise)

Separated paths - 25km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise)

Bicycle paths - 25km/h maximum (unless signed otherwise)

Originally published as Shock video of e-scooter riders at Labrador Broadwater divides opinion