E-scooters in Toowoomba: Police call on riders to refresh road rule knowledge after shock statistics

New data has revealed who is mostly responsible for a spike in crashes among e-scooter riders, and the information does not bode well as the council debates their introduction into the Garden City.

Darling Downs Police have encouraged e-scooter riders to some extra time to familiarise themselves with the road rules after a series of high-profile crashes left both rider and pedestrian with serious injuries.

In July a 70-year-old woman had her leg broken when she was hit by an e-scooter while leaving a Perth shop and in May a 44-year-old rider was pinned under a car in Brisbane and suffered serious leg injuries.

“Personal mobility devices or ‘rideables’ are growing in popularity and considered a cleaner and greener commuting alternative,” Senior Constable Belinda Elks said.

“Users of these devices must comply with the road rules while riding in public spaces and road related areas in Queensland.”

“You must be at least 16 years of age, or 12 years with adult supervision.

“A helmet must be always worn while travelling on rideables.”

The Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety has found that there are about 115 serious injuries per million e-scooter trips, which is a rate comparable to the motorcycles.

It also found that about half of all e-scooter journeys were undertaken illegally with riders using share schemes, such as the Lime Scooters, being more likely to break road rules.

The Darling Downs could soon be home to a share scheme as the Toowoomba Regional Council recently completed a round of public consolation ahead of running a possible trial in the Garden City.

That consultation period ended on August 12.

“Rideables are designed for single person use only, and are not permitted to travel faster than 25km/h,” Const Elks said.

“Rideables may only be ridden on paths or roads where the speed limit is 50km/h or less and they are prohibited from travelling on a main road or highway.

“Riders must keep left and give way to pedestrians.”