E scooters: Supercharged hot-rod electric scooters in crosshairs of furious Gold Coast councillors

Supercharged e-scooters are being souped-up to defy speed limits, sparking demands for riders to be licensed in order to end the carnage.

Electric scooters are being souped-up and supercharged to defy speed limits, sparking demands for urgent action from city leaders who fear a fatality.

Councillors are so concerned about speeding electric bikes on the new Oceanway and beachfront pathways in tourism hubs they want licences to be introduced.

Mayor Tom Tate will on Tuesday write to Transport Minister Mark Bailey pleading for state intervention to control youth riders, saying police are powerless to stop two-wheeled hoons.

“Queensland Police face challenges in enforcing the new regulations due to limited resources. We urge the State to actively explore options to support the Queensland Police Service in their enforcement efforts and ensure the e-scooter safety measures are effectively implemented.

A screenshot of the video showing scooter riders zooming down the Labrador Broadwater.

“While licences can be a part of the solution, we recognise young people are not required to hold them or carry identification for e-scooter use.”

It comes after escalating incidents caught on camera with e-scooter riders breaking the law.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

A update to councillors covers November’s state law change impact, setting 25km/h speed limits on roads and 12km/h on oceanways and paths for e-scooters and skateboards. Most have a 20km/h speed limit but with firmware updates or modification, can go 40km/h.

Personal mobility device fines include $1078 for using a phone, $173 for riding on a prohibited road, $575 for speeding, and $143 for no helmet or doubling. Riders can’t drink and those from 12-16 years must be supervised.

Officers noted:

* Compliance was “challenging” because police radar had difficulty picking up lower speeds;

* CCTV with in-built artificial intelligence can track worst crash spots.

* City “hot spots” include surf clubs like Palm Beach and oceanway paths.

* New hospital data shows private owners with faster machines are more likely to be injured than hired users

* It’ll eight to 10 years for an education campaign to improve safety covering school kids, visitors and mum/dad users.

Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: Liam Kidston

Surfers Paradise councillor Darren Taylor said requiring scooter licencing would ensure greater accountability, calling them “a challenge” with “great concern around safety”.

“(I) wonder why they are not licensed and registered - no different than boats. If you mess up out on the water you lose your license. We need a long-term plan including designated scooter lanes.”

Councillor Hermann Vorster called it a “wild west” situation.

“There is demand and they are not going anywhere but because there’s no rental scheme where we could have worked with a provider to geo-fence areas and remotely lower speeds, they are now purchasing equipment and downloading firmware to override e-speed limitations.

“Because we have given no alternative, we have foregone the opportunity to have a safe rollout.”

Councillor Hermann Vorster. Picture, John Gass

Coolangatta-based councillor Gail O’Neill said: “We’re not making headway. It’s impossible to police it,” adding accidents were regular and she feared any serious one could mean “council would have to wear it”.

“We are moving way too slow (on compliance),” she said.

Transport committee chair Pauline Young asked council officers about fines in Surfers Paradise where hire shops were based.

“These businesses should be responsible making (clients) aware of what traffic rules are.”

Officers said hire shops were visited by officers and updated on changes to speed limit laws.

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