Surfers Paradise Oceanway ‘hit and runs’ mount up as MP calls it a ‘constant problem’

Surfers Paradise residents are calling for immediate action after a string of ‘hit and runs’ as the area MP reveals it’s a ‘constant problem’. See the video + vote in our poll

A Surfers Paradise resident wants action after a string of “hit and runs” along the popular Oceanway as an area MP says it’s a “constant problem”.

Resident ‘Luca’ says he’s witnessed multiple serious incidents involving e-scooters and e-bikes along the bustling walking strip, saying electronic vehicles belong on the road and bike lanes, not on pedestrian walkways.

Within a few months, the regular user says he saw a woman “taken out” by an e-scooter at the front of Breakers North in Surfers Paradise and a child allegedly hit by an e-bike taken to hospital with a broken wrist near Northcliffe - both in October. Separately a woman allegedly suffered broken ribs after being hit by an e-bike on Old Burleigh Road in January and a small dog was allegedly “run over” by an e-scooter near La Sabbia in April.

He describes three of the collisions as hit and runs and said if he alone had witnessed “so many accidents”, there must be many more.

“I was sitting in my loungeroom (which faces out onto the Oceanway) and I heard screaming – the person who ran over them didn’t stop,” Luca said.

Locals using the Surfers Paradise South Oceanway. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I witnessed everything from my balcony. The person was put into a neck collar and taken away by ambulance.”

Luca captured footage of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) tending to an injured person, strapping them to a spinal board before taking them to hospital on October 23 at 7pm.

A QAS spokeswoman said an emergency call was made at 6.30pm to the same location. The person was in a serious condition with the high acuity response unit on scene.

QAS could not confirm if the incident was e-scooter related or the same incident as captured by Luca.

Luca claimed the person who “ran over the dog” and another who hit a lady in her late 50s allegedly “breaking her ribs” didn’t stop either.

A Queensland Ambulance Service tending to an injured person allegedly hit by an e-scooter along the Oceanway Surfers Paradise, October 23, 2023.

“The dog was limping and yelping. They don’t have plates so it’s impossible to actually find those people,” he said.

“I never use the Oceanway anymore, I only cross it. I feel unsafe and much prefer to walk on the sand or the footpaths.”

Luca said between 5am and 6am the pathway can feel like a “highway” with people “just flying past”.

His comments come as work was recently started on a southern section of the Currumbin Oceanway.

The resident said while much of Europe was banning the electric vehicles from pedestrian areas – the Gold Coast had a duty to do the same.

State Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek said he had written to multiple ministers about the ongoing issue of e-scooter and e-bike incidents – saying it was a potential matter for police, but questioned if they had resources to staff it.

Locals using the Surfers Paradise South Oceanway. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“State Government have announced speed restrictions, people need to have a bell, they should be wearing a helmet, they shouldn’t be under the effects of alcohol – all of which are current rules anyway,” he said.

“Every time they announce changes, it doesn’t really make any difference at all.

“People need either more education programs and penalties that are actually enforced – so I want to see more law enforcement.”

Mr Langbroek added: “I understand our police are too busy and have more important things to do then try to monitor speed on the Oceanway – but it’s a constant problem.”