Why councillors voted to put the brakes on an e-scooter ride share operation at Surfers Paradise

A new report to council shows pavements in “pedestrian dense tourist areas” have become a bloodbath thanks to micro-electric bikes and scooters on the Gold Coast.

RESIDENTS in official complaints are warning council to take action before a pedestrian is killed by the wave of new micro-electric bikes and scooters at Gold Coast tourism hot spots.

A new report to council which for the first time reviews Transport Department crash data between 2013 and 2017 confirms pavements in “pedestrian dense tourist areas” have become a bloodbath.

A woman receives medical attention after riding her electric hire bike straight into a barrier and garden on Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise.

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The data reveals two cyclists had died, 286 have sustained an injury and 212 required hospital treatment.

Seventeen pedestrians were killed, 154 needed medical help, and 246 were admitted to hospital. Twenty-three people on a skateboard were injured. One on a motorised version died.

Council received complaints from 56 residents in the past 12 months, many of them fearful for their safety after a collision with an electric scooter.

“I have become increasingly annoyed, indeed scared. As a pedestrian, I no longer have any rights,” a resident told officers.

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Electric Scooter riders scatter pedestrians on the corner of Elkorn and Cavill Ave. Picture Glenn Hampson

Others warned of “the extreme danger of silent electric bikes” and predicted it was “only a matter of time” before a fatality would occur.

Several residents described the Esplanade in Surfers Paradise as “quite horrific” and will no longer take their regular walks.

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A majority of councillors have responded by voting to put the brakes on plans for a report regarding options for an e-scooter ride share system.

Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster at full council spoke passionately in favour of an investigation which could provide “evidence” on developing the safest system in Australia.

But he was only supported by Councillor Peter Young as Deputy Mayor Donna Gates moved successfully to stop looking at options for an e-scooter ride system.

Lime scooters being launch at Surfers Paradise. Emme McCarthy 14 from Brisbane tries out the scooter. Picture Glenn Hampson.

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Cr Gates referred to the e-scooter fatality in Brisbane earlier this month where a 50-year-old man died after sustaining head and facial injuries at South Bank.

“I think it would be premature for us at this point in time. Given that there has been considerable concern indicated from the Brisbane City Council where that (e-scooter) trial has been operating,” Cr Gates said.

Councillors have agreed to consider either introducing or amending local laws “where safety risks are identified” regarding micro-electric devices on footpaths.

Surfers Paradise-based councillor Gary Baildon told colleagues: “I’m getting phone calls from parents and grandparents saying why aren’t we doing something.

“The best thing is we could get rid of these electric bikes altogether, and it would make life a little bit better for all of us.”

The report said council could make a local law prohibiting power-assisted bicycles, wheeled recreational devices and similar toys off footpaths but raised several practical challenges.

“Introducing such local laws would necessitate council officers having a role in enforcement of the prohibition and would require installation of official traffic signs,” the report said.

Council would have to produce evidence that the bike or scooter was a banned device.

“Council officers would further face the difficulty of stopping offenders and gaining their co-operation in providing identification details,” the report said.