Helmet fines for e-scooters in Brisbane: revealed

Almost 1000 Brisbane e-scooter riders were fined for failing to wear a helmet in 2021, police have revealed.

Almost 1000 Brisbane e-scooter riders were fined for failing to wear a helmet in 2021, police have revealed.

Data disclosed to The Courier-Mail from Queensland Police Service shows that 956 infringement notices were issued to personal mobility device (PMD) users across the city from January to October 021 for failure to wear a bicycle helmet without an exemption.

This was compared to the 449 infringements issued across all of 2020.

An additional 269 infringements were issued throughout the months to October.

Of these, 153 were issued for PMD users on a prohibited road, 54 for PMD users exceeding 25km/h, 32 for more than one person travelling on a PMD, 13 for failure to comply with PMD prohibited signs, 9 for operator used hand held mobile phone on a PMD, 4 for failing to have lights on in poor weather and 2 for PMDs drinking liquor while driving.

E-scooter riders in Brisbane

Brisbane Civic Cabinet transport chair Ryan Murphy said it was largely the unregulated private e-scooter market that proved to drive fines, which didn’t offer helmet lock systems.

“More than five million trips have been taken on Brisbane’s hire e-scooters so far and safety has continued to improve, including the introduction of locks to ensure helmets are available,” he said.

“Unfortunately, as these figures show, a very small minority of people aren’t following the rules.

“This is concerning when people are able to buy and ride e-scooters capable of speeds of up to 100km/h in the largely unregulated private market.”

Mr Murphy said the State Government has begun talks with stakeholders about how its regulations can be improved.

A spokeswoman for Neuron said that the company’s world-first, app-controlled helmet lock was integrated to help combat helmet usage.

“We did this after discussions with Brisbane City Council so that all riders have the opportunity to protect themselves and follow the law.”

It comes as state Transport Minister Bailey sensationally claimed Brisbane City Council “listens to no one” on the eve of a meeting to address e-scooter safety.