New rules and fines
We know that some of our students ride (or want to ride) their e-scooters , e-skateboards and solowheels to school. It's a great way to save money on fuel and a fantastic way to get around - please be sure you know the rules!!
The Depatment of Transport has put out the new rules and increased fines for riders of e-scooters, e-skateboards and similar devices that aim to make riders and everyone they interact with safer.
Visit
Streetsmarts Qld for a quick and easy to understand listing of the new and existing rules, including:
- Lower speed limits of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths, and 25km/h max elsewhere unless signed otherwise.
- Increased fines for mobile phone use ($1078).
- Increased fines for speeding and riding on prohibited roads.
- Mandatory helmets (bicycle or motorcycle) and bells for devices with handlebars.
- Age limits:
- Only those aged 16+ can ride e-scooters and e-skateboards.
- 12–15-year-olds can only ride with adult supervision. Adult supervisors must have close direct oversight of the juvenile PMD rider at all times to provide direction, guidance and potential intervention.
- Primary school aged children, under 12 years, shouldn't be riding e-scooters or e-skateboards. They can ride low powered electric scooters, which have a maximum speed of 10 km/h or less and are powered by a small electric motor capable of producing 200W or less. These are considered wheeled recreational devices and have a separate set of rules to PMDs. More information is available on the Department of Transport and Main Roads
website.
- No passengers – one person only at a time per scooter.
- Where to ride:
- Paths – footpaths, shared paths, separated paths and bike paths
- Local streets (speed limit of 50km/h or less, no dividing centre line)
- On-road bike lanes (where the road speed limit is 50km/h or less, or where the lane is physically separated from the road).
The website features new videos demonstrating where you can ride e-scooters and at what speeds, as well as other helpful safety tips.
Visit Streetsmarts Qld for more details.