E-scooter riders at Logan will have new laws to get up to speed with, as new measures are rolled-out to make roads and footpaths safer.
Stronger laws such as lower speeds on footpaths, mandated safety measures, a safety education campaign and clearer signage and markings would be part of a suite of new actions to help ensure e-scooter riders, cyclists, motorists and pedestrians can safely share spaces.
Immediate action will include the rollout of a proactive safety campaign focussing on the correct way to wear a helmet, how to ride safely, how to overtake pedestrians safely and how to park to keep the footpath clear for people with disabilities.
It comes as almost 500 e-scooters were rolled-out across Logan City late last year, in suburbs such as Underwood, Woodridge, Slacks Creek, Springwood and Logan Central.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says the rising popularity of e-scooters is a clear sign they aren’t going to disappear.
“We know that people are going to keep using them so the key is making sure that shared spaces like footpaths and bike-lanes are as safe as they can be.
“That’s why I joined industry and user groups, disability advocates, health, police and government experts late last year to understand what needs to be done to make e-scooters and their use safer for people riding them and those they ride near.”
Mr Bailey says the reforms would see speed limits slashed on footpaths to 12 kilometres an hour.
“We are seeing far too many injuries in e-scooter users that are the result of speeding and many pedestrians feeling unsafe on footpaths.
“Our footpaths are there for everyone so e-scooter riders will need to slow down on footpaths to 12 km/h in future.
“We’ll also be allowing e-scooters on segregated bikeways, as we examine further their use in relation to on road bike lanes.
“For e-scooters to use footpaths less, they need more safe routes to use as an alternative.
“We’ll examine further whether on road bike lanes are appropriate with all stakeholders, with extensive consultation with local government associations and councils to come.”
The State Government will work with relevant Local Government Areas on making sure signs and markings make it clear where e-scooters can and can’t be ridden and where they can and can’t be parked.
Tougher laws to give police better tools to enforce speed limits and drink riding will also be further explored to crack down on rogue e-scooter riders endangering others.
Information on the current road rules for e-scooters can be found on the Queensland Government website.
