Qld e-mobility safety inquiry told of illegal import loophole

Unchecked illegal e-scooters are making their way into Australia because of a loophole, a parliamentary committee has heard. Vote in our poll.

Unchecked illegal e-scooters are making their way into Australia because of a loophole, a parliamentary committee has heard.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads last week told Queensland’s e-mobility safety inquiry that Australia had a limited vision of the import of illegal e-mobility devices, undermining Queensland’s “nation-leading” rules governing the emerging transport sector.

TMR deputy director general Geoff Magoffin said prior to 2021, the import of e-mobility devices required an approval from the federal transport department, but a change meant the vehicles were now only subject to “advisory notices”, which themselves were not mandatory.

“This enabled the importation of non-compliant devices, such as high-powered or high-speed e-bikes that function more like motorcycles, to be imported as legal e-bikes without oversight,” Mr Magoffin’s submission read.

Two young women ride electric scooters. Picture: Wolfram Steinberg/picture alliance via Getty Images

“TMR believes these changes, coupled with rising demand, have led to an influx of illegal devices, contributing to current safety concerns.”

The committee heard when consumers were buying and importing e-bikes they should look out for the European safety standard which Australia had adopted, labelled EN15194.

Mr Magoffin said Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg intended to write to federal Transport Minister Catherine King, requesting a review of the import and enforcement processes for e-mobility devices.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg. Picture: Richard Walker

The inquiry comes as a Far North family mourned the loss of a 12-year-old Mareeba boy who died after his e-scooter collided with a stationary vehicle on Tuesday night.

There is no suggestion the boy’s device was illegal, with police still investigating the evidence.

Committee member and Cook MP, David Kempton, asked the department if separation of e-mobility riders and other road users would be the most effective safety measure.

“No matter how many rules and regulations we’ve got and the standards around these vehicles, the greatest safety factor is probably separation, as we do now with pedestrians, bikes and cars,” he said.

“There must be a pretty incredible infrastructure cost attached to that. Have you considered that?”

The department’s policy, safety and regulation director Nicole Downing said there was a growing bicycle network across the state.

“Separation to separate bicycle riders or PMDs (personal mobility devices) with cars comes at a great cost,” she said.

“It’s a large challenge, particularly with other challenges such as the Bruce Hwy.”

The department's land transport safety and regulation director Daniel Kaden was asked about technology improvements contributing to e-mobility safety.

He commended the control of speed, zone and time restrictions on ride-to-share devices, but fell short of suggesting these measures be applied to personal devices.

“In to the future, in relation to private devices, we think, yes, there’s opportunities to look at the application of technological standards that would be required on importation and that would be part of that importation question for the Commonwealth,” he said.

TMR’s submission also found improvements were needed to enforce drink-driving rules, including giving Queensland Police the ability to conduct random breath tests.

Originally published as Qld e-mobility safety inquiry told of illegal import loophole