Nirimba State Primary School principal Steven Moore bans e-scooters

A Queensland school principal has banned e-scooters after he became aware of a student under 12 not wearing a helmet and nearly being hit by a car on their way to school.

Nirimba State Primary School principal Steven Moore bans e-scooters. Picture: file.

A Sunshine Coast school principal has banned e-scooters after reports of a student under 12 not wearing a helmet nearly being hit by a car on their way to school.

Nirimba State Primary School principal Steven Moore has banned e-scooters, e-bikes and e-boards.

A signed letter was sent to parents on Monday, February 17, by Mr Moore.

“Since the beginning of school this year, we have noticed an increase in the number of students using personal mobility devices such as e-scooters, e-boards and e-bikes,” he said.

“The rules and laws around personal mobility device use in Queensland are very clear.

A Queensland principal has banned e-scooters and other devices after a near miss with a student. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“To ride a personal mobility device you must be at least 16 years or at least 12 years and supervised by an adult while riding the device.”

He said he was “informed” that a student was riding an e-scooter with no helmet and was nearly hit by a car.

“If collision had occurred, the injures would have likely been substantial,” he said.

“This student was under 12 years of age.

“From tomorrow, Tuesday, the 18th of February, all student personal mobility devices are banned from school grounds. The school will also not condone the inappropriate use of personable mobility devices by allowing these devices to be parked at school.

“If you allow your child to ride an e-scooter, e-board, or e-bike to school, they can park their devices at the Nirimba Sports Complex or another off site location and walk onto school grounds.

Nirimba State Primary School principal Steven Moore bans e-scooters. Picture: contributed.

“Lastly, we kindly ask all parents and carers to remind their children to wear a helmet when riding a bike or scooter in the community and on their way to and from school.”

Parents, carers and Sunshine Coast locals shared their reactions to the ban on social media.

Meaghan Wheatley said she could not understand how they were allowed in the first place.

“You need a car licence to ride a moped but for e-bike or e-scooter you don’t need a licence, when they go just as fast,” she said on Facebook.

“Laws need to change big time for these devices.”

Wendy Wager said “well done to the school”.

“But sad that parents need to be reminded of the law.”

Jane Bush said it was a “fantastic” call.

“Let’s hope others follow suit,” she said on Facebook.

Principal Steven Moore declined the Sunshine Coast Daily’s interview request regarding the decision.

However, a spokesman for the state department of education provided a brief statement.

“Nirimba State Primary School, like all Queensland state schools, places the highest priority on ensuring the safety of all students, staff and members of the school community,” he said.

“Individual school principals make decisions to address issues of concern regarding student road safety.”

This comes off the back of an e-scooter given to a 12-year-old for getting good school grades becoming a mother’s biggest regret as last year she was forced to watch her young daughter’s harrowing health fight after a life-threatening crash.

Police on the scene after a girl was hit by a car on Main Rd, Maroochydore. Photo: Madeline Grace

The girl was rushed to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after suffering two collapsed lungs and possible brain damage on August 21, 2024.

The 21-year-old driver, from Maroochydore, was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.

More than eight people have been killed and dozens critically injured, many of those children, in an alarming surge in e-scooter crashes across Queensland last year.

As of November last year there had been 290 e-scooter crashes across Queensland in 2024 and police said it is teenage riders who are most at risk, with three out of the seven people killed aged under 20.

Originally published as Nirimba State Primary School principal Steven Moore bans e-scooters