Cowboys legend Matty Bowen leads e-scooter safety campaign amid surge in accidents, fatalities

Cowboys legend Matty Bowen is spearheading a new safety campaign to tackle the alarming surge in e-scooter accidents sweeping through the region. Watch the video.

Matty Bowen in action during the e-scooter safety campaign video, urging Townsville riders to stay safe and follow the rules. Source: YouTube/On Common Country

Cowboys legend Matty Bowen is spearheading a new safety campaign to tackle the alarming surge in e-scooter accidents sweeping through Townsville and beyond.

The initiative, in partnership with On Common Country (OCC), Civil Safety, and the Advanced Driver Training Centre, aims to curb the growing number of injuries and fatalities linked to e-scooters in the region.

E-scooters have rapidly become a popular mode of transport in Townsville, but the increase in accidents has been stark.

The number of e-scooter-related injuries clogging up emergency departments at Townsville University Hospital jumped from 80 in 2020 to almost 300 in 2023.

Its expected the numbers for 2024 will only climb with at least four people hospitalised for e-scooter related crashes in Townsville over the last weekend alone.

The city was also shaken by the tragic death of Richard Cooper, a 35-year-old father of four, who died in January after suffering critical head injuries in an e-scooter crash.

Matty Bowen in action during the e-scooter safety campaign video, urging Townsville riders to stay safe and follow the rules. Source: YouTube/On Common Country

Nationally e-scooter-related deaths and injuries continue to climb, with 13 lives lost and over 3000 serious injuries recorded across the country between 2019 and 2023.

Matty Bowen, a beloved North Queensland sporting icon, is leading the charge to prevent further tragedies and keep people safe.

“We are committed to enhancing the safety and wellbeing of our community,” he said.

“This campaign is about ensuring everyone can enjoy the benefits of e-scooters while minimising potential hazards.

“By promoting responsible riding, we hope to make our streets and pathways safer for all.”

In a new public safety video, Bowen outlines key e-scooter safety rules while riding around Townsville.

He stresses the importance of always wearing a helmet and highlights that riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal.

Riders must keep both hands on the handlebars, avoid using phones, and follow age restrictions — those aged 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult, while those 16 and older are responsible for adhering to the rules.

The video also explains that doubling is not allowed, and carrying items while riding is prohibited.

E-scooters must have a bell and front and rear lights for night riding.

Riders can travel at a maximum of 12 km/h on footpaths and shared paths, and up to 25 km/h on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less. Fines will be imposed for rule violations.

Originally published as Cowboys legend Matty Bowen leads e-scooter safety campaign amid surge in accidents, fatalities