Police warn parents e-scooters are ‘weapons’ in the wrong hands

Parents face a stark warning about popular Christmas gifts after shocking data reveals two-thirds of e-bike and e-scooter crash victims were not wearing helmets when injured.

E-bikes and scooters will be at the top of many Christmas wish lists this festive season, but Darling Downs parents are being urged to take a minute to think about whether the popular devices are appropriate for their children.

Serious crashes leading to death and injury have been steadily on the rise, with a significant number of patients being children.

In the 12 months to March 31, 60 e-bike and e-scooter riders were placed in a Queensland Health hospital intensive care unit after crashes, while a staggering 6342 people presented to an emergency department.

Of those injured, 73.6 per cent were boys and men, and about two-thirds were not wearing a helmet.

In an effort to drive down this worrying escalation in injuries, Darling Downs Police have launched a wide-ranging operation.

As students prepare for their summer holidays, police have visited local schools talking about the devices and urging caution.

They want parents to know how to keep their children safe.

“What we are trying to do each day is engage, educate and then take the illegal devices off the road,” Inspector Damian Wells said.

“A lot of people see these devices as toys, but they are not.

“In the wrong hands, ridden the wrong way at the wrong time, they can be weapons.”

Police are responding to a worrying escalation in fatal crashes linked to personal mobility devices in recent months.

While those crashes have, for the most part, been in the major metropolitan areas, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs are not immune.

Insp. Wells urged parents to visit the StreetSmarts website before buying a device for their child.

“For an e-scooter, if a child is under 12 years old, they cannot ride one; if they are 12–15 years old, they need adult supervision.

“If you take them to a park, you have to be there watching them; if you are using it as a means of transport, you have to be riding or jogging alongside your child.”

“They have to follow the rules; they have to wear a helmet; there cannot be doubling.

“There is a 12 km/h limit on footpaths, 25 km/h on the road; you can’t ride on a road with a speed limit of more than 50 km/h unless you are physically separated from traffic.

“All the road rules apply to anyone on an e-scooter, as they are for anyone who is driving a car.”

If parents do opt for an e-scooter, Insp. Wells said practice in a safe area was vital.

“The steering is directly over the front axle; it is an art; it takes time to learn that thing.

“The danger is real.”

Originally published as Police warn parents e-scooters are ‘weapons’ in the wrong hands