Gold Coast councillors slam new e-scooter rules as unenforceable

Gold Coast councillors have ridiculed new fines of up to $1078 for e-scooter riders, highlighting what they believe is a major problem. WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Gold Coast councillors have ridiculed new fines announced by the state government targeting errant e-scooter riders.

From November 1 riders will face fines of between $143 and $1078 for offences including speeding, not wearing a helmet or using a mobile phone while riding.

The penalties, which were announced by Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Saturday, follow a number of accidents involving the scooters on Gold Coast and Brisbane streets.

Councillor Hermann Vorster. Picture: Jerad Williams.

But the new rules been ridiculed by councillors on social media, who questioned whether police had the resources to enforce them.

“It’s just crazy to think that our stretched police service will be asked to set up radars on footpaths,” Division 11 councillor Hermann Vorster said.

“ … As a suburban councillor it’s hard to imagine police standing around our many lakeside walks etc where complaints are highest while homes are broken into, cars stolen and so on.”

Cr Vorster said there were “better ways” to deal with issues around e-scooters, including forcing manufacturers to limit speed and geo-fencing.

“(I’d) prefer police to be responding to DV call-outs, getting drugs off the street, and helping victims of assault,” he said.

Division 2 councillor William Owen-Jones also questioned whether resources would be available to enforce the rules, writing that “the Premier might be needing some more police” after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk publicised the fines on social media.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

In addition to new fines, the state government also announced it was reducing speed limits to 12kmh on footpaths and mandating bells in addition to helmets and lights.

Minister Bailey said he made no apologies for cracking down on reckless e-scooter use.

“The fact of the matter is that many people who use e-scooter are doing the right thing – they are an easy, convenient and environmentally friendly way to get around,” Mr Bailey said.

“From 1 November, these new rules will be in effect. We have flagged that these changes have been in the pipeline, so users have had plenty of notice.

“We want every person who uses our footpaths, bikeways and bike lanes to be safe from harm, and these reforms go a long way in tightening the Queensland road rules around this new technology.”

Beam ANZ General Manager Tom Cooper. Picture: Contributed

Tom Cooper, General Manager (ANZ) of Beam – which is one of the world’s largest e-scooter sharing companies – said the firm’s e-scooters already included many of the safety features mentioned by Cr Vorster.

Mr Cooper said the new fines would encourage riders of all scooters “to do the right thing”.

“Shared e-scooter providers currently operate in heavily regulated environments, with strict guidelines in place to ensure the safe operation of e-scooters,” Mr Cooper told the Bulletin.

“For example, Beam restricts where our vehicles can operate, via ‘geofencing’ technology, which allows us to designate specific operating areas, low-speed and no parking areas. Our e-scooters are speed restricted, have 24-hour GPS tracking and we include a helmet with every vehicle, with technology to detect if the helmet has been used with a trip. Beam also provides rider insurance with every trip.

“Conversely, privately owned e-scooters do not have the same geofencing technology or safety features included, and manufacturers are not obligated to regulate maximum speeds.

“Many models seen on Australian streets reach speeds exceeding the legal limit, relying solely on rider responsibility and police oversight.

“Imposing similar regulations on the provision or sale of private e-scooters that exist for shared e-scooter operators would see an increase in safety standards for all riders.”

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