Cairns e-scooter crash: Man hits kangaroo on scooter
A spate of e-scooter incidents, including a crash with a ‘kangaroo’ and riders “doubling” young kids without helmets has once again sparked debate over safety concerns.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man has been rushed to hospital after witnesses reported him crashing into an animal, believed to be a kangaroo, near a Cairns boat ramp.
The incident, coupled with images shared on social media of riders behaving dangerously, has once again sparked debate around e-ecooter safety.
Electric bike and scooter accidents accounted for a staggering 1050 presentations to Queensland emergency departments in 2024.
On Thursday morning at 5.22am paramedics were called to the public boat ramp at the end of Tingira St, Portsmith after witnesses reported an e-scooter and kangaroo incident.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said a third party contacted emergency services about the crash and the rider, aged in his late 60s, was taken to hospital in a stable condition suffering abrasions along with shoulder and rib pain.
Also on Thursday morning at 5.57am a patient was taken to Mossman Hospital in a stable condition following an e-scooter crash on Douglas Road.
The recent incidents follow a photo posted to social media of a couple riding scooters along Draper St whose two small children were seen hanging onto the scooters without helmets.
A sharp rise in e-scooter and e-bike injuries across the state prompted the Crisafulli Government to launch an inquiry into e-scooter and e-bike safety in May this year.
From 2021 to 2024 there was a 112 per cent rise in injuries to riders, passengers and pedestrians.
And last year, eight people died in Queensland while using an e-mobility device.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said he was committed to improving safety for all road users and pedestrians.
“The increase in injuries and deaths we are seeing because of unsafe and unlawful riding cannot be ignored and I share the community’s concern,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“Labor failed to tackle dangerous and illegal e-scooter and e-bike use and left our police service woefully understaffed to enforce the regulations.
“The Crisafulli Government will hold a Parliamentary Inquiry to ensure we are doing everything we can to boost safety for both pedestrians and riders.
“We want to hear from community members, road use groups, disability advocates, health and trauma experts, academia, the E-mobility industry, and all levels of government.
More Coverage
Originally published as Cairns e-scooter crash: Man hits kangaroo on scooter
‘Best job ever’: High praise for cabin crew ahead of special day
From working with concrete to taking to the skies, a Jetstar staff member has reflected on almost two decades in aviation ahead of International Cabin Crew Member Day on May 31.
‘Waiting to drop off the perch’: Shock survey reveals immense toll of council rate hike
One senior said they would resort to only having “Vegemite sandwiches for tea” to afford the proposed 800 per cent rate hike on Far North retirement village residents.