Fines soar to stop Queensland’s most reckless e-scooter riders

Queensland e-scooter riders who use their mobile phones while behind the handlebars – just like motorists – will from November be slugged more than $1000.

E-scooter users busted speeding more than 30km/h over the limit will be slapped with a $575 fine under the Palaszczuk government’s safety crackdown on reckless riders.

A range of new and increased penalties for e-scooters will come into effect from November 1, while safe-passage laws that apply to cyclists will soon be expanded to personal mobility devices as well.

Under the shake-up, e-scooter riders will be fined $1078 for using their mobile phones while behind the handlebars – just like motorists – while a new tiered system for speeding fines will also be introduced.

Riders caught travelling up to 14km/h over the speed limit will be fined $143, and those nabbed speeding between 14km/h and 20km/h over the limit will be hit with a $215 fine.

An electric scooter rider on the footpath in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

A $359 fine will be dished out to riders clocked travelling between 20km/h and 30km/h over the limit, while those caught out travelling more than 30km/h over the limit will be slugged $575.

Under the previous rules, riders were simply fined $191 for speeding regardless of how fast they were travelling.

E-scooter riders who drink liquor while riding will now be fined $431 – which is three times the value of the current fine – while the penalty for riding without a helmet will be $143.

Brisbane E-Scooter Penalties from November 2022

Exceeding speed limit by:

• 1-13km/h - $143
• 14-20km/h - $215
• 20-30km/h - $359
• >30km/h - $575
• Not wearing a helmet - $143
• Doubling (two or more people) - $143
• Mobile phone use while riding - $1078
• Drink driving - $431
• Use on prohibited road - $172

The government has also confirmed that cars would need to safely pass e-scooters on the road, following the same rules that already applied to motorists when passing cyclists.

The same reforms will ensure that personal mobility devices can be used in bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, as well as all physically-separated on-road bike lanes.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government had flagged the reforms for some time – saying users have had plenty of notice over the looming changes.

“Speeding fines will range from $143 to $575, depending on how far over the speed limit you are travelling,” he said.

“This reflects the danger posed to those around you, and reflects a suitable deterrent to minimise the risk of reoffending.

“Further reforms around drink and drug-riding are also being finalised and we expect to have those announced next year.”

The changes will see speed limits on footpaths slashed to 12km/h, while all devices will need to be equipped with bells and lights.