Oceanway e-bike victim says parliamentary inquiry needed before another fatality

The latest Gold Coast victim of an electric bike collision says a state government crackdown can’t come soon enough. FULL DETAILS

The latest Gold Coast victim of an electric bike collision says a state government crackdown can’t come soon enough.

Broadbeach resident Brian Condran was left injured and bleeding after an e-bike ran into the back of him and his dog on the Oceanway near Pratten Park last weekend.

“I’m walking south on the left-hand side as I treat the path as a road – the next thing I know this guy’s just ran into me straight from behind, veered off to the other side as he falls off his e-bike and nearly takes someone else out,” he said.

“I’m in my lane, and bang, I’m going down.”

The 64-year-old was left with a large gash and damage to his leg.

Brian Condran's injured leg. Picture: Supplied

He said it was lucky his dog wasn’t hit, as the severity of the impact would’ve done thousands worth of damage – or worse.

“The guy couldn’t ride the bike – I see people riding e-bikes close to hitting pedestrians all the time and you can see the riders shaking – they don’t know how to use these things,” he said.

“Kids as young as 10 whose parents have put them on a Lime bike and I’ve overheard the kid saying it was too big for him – the parents just look at the kid and say, ‘you’ll be right’.”

Mr Condran said it was only a matter of time before an infant was killed if laws did not change.

“You’ve got babies in prams, little kids, dogs and old people – and they let these people get on it – it’s out of control,” he said.

“The way I see them riding around here now, it’s just ridiculous. A little baby’s going to get killed. You can’t wait till 10 people get killed and go, ‘oh geez, we better do something’ – we need a crackdown now and we gotta hit them hard.”

Brian on the Pratten Park footpath with his dogs Ted and Jimmy. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The avid walker said state government should start with getting personal e-mobility devices off the paths, users licenced and insured with e-vehicles registered.

“They just go too quickly – it’s dangerous,” he said.

“You look at the weight of them, the size, speed and impact they’re going to make over a couple of metres compared to what a push bike would do – it’s going to do 10 times more damage.”

On May 1 the Crisafulli government launched an inquiry into e-scooter and e-bike safety to consider safety improvements as serious incidents rise.

Between 2021 to 2024 there was a 112 per cent rise in injuries caused by e-vehicles, with eight user deaths last year alone.

Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said it could no longer be ignored.

“Labor failed to tackle dangerous and illegal e-scooter and e-bike use and left our police service woefully understaffed to enforce the regulations,” he said.

“It’s important we consider all research and opinions, to ensure a safe and reliable future for e-scooters and e-bikes.”

The parliamentary inquiry focuses on benefits of e-mobility devices, safety risks, existing rules and how they compare with other jurisdictions, enforcement approaches, importation laws, communication and education and stakeholder views.

Originally published as Oceanway e-bike victim says parliamentary inquiry needed before another fatality