Queensland’s new e-mobility laws have been watered-down following community feedback.
Age restrictions have been walked back, but police will soon have the power to seize and destroy illegal devices, while parents and retailers will face massive fines.
Age restrictions have been walked back by Queensland’s state goverment as part of their proposed e-mobility laws. 9News
Instead of an outright ban on e-rideables for under 16s, those aged between 12 and 17 can now ride with parental supervision.
Retailers who sell to under 16-year-olds will face fines of $72,240 and parents who allow underage riding can also be punished.
But the Queensland president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) is calling for the government to ban on under16s entirely.
“A clear ban on under 16s on e-mobility devices would have been a nice, clear set of rule,” Associate Professor Erica Gannon said.
“It’s disappointing to see the government has moved that pressure to parents and then potential punishment on those parents.
“That pressure would perhaps best be put on those profiteering from the sale of these illegal devices and perhaps back on the government themselves, who actually have the power to change the laws and change them completely.”
E-rideables are a convenient mode of transport to some and a dangerous public nuisance to others.
But for doctors, it’s the cause of a number of injuries – in some cases fatal ones, and the AMA are calling on the government to do more in preventing them.“These are mostly all completely preventable injuries,” Gannon said.
Large corporations like Uber and Lime gave feedback to a parliamentary committee, flagging their concerns. Felicity Caldwell
“We’re talking things like cuts and bruises and as you lead through the spectrum, you’re looking at broken bones, facial injuries, some life-altering head injuries, even acquired brain injuries and in some tragic circumstances, we have seen fatalities due to E-mobility devices.”
Katey Bates from Australia’s leading cycling safety charity, Amy’s Foundation, agreed.
“Over 2000 Queenslanders each year are hospitalised, something had to be done,” she said.
Whatever your view, Queensland is about to have some of the toughest E-mobility laws in the world.
“We want to strike the right balance, and this legislation is all about getting the balance right,” Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said.
The legislation is due to pass parliament this week before coming into effect from July 1.
E-bikes and e-scooters faster than 25 kilometres an hour will be banned.
Police will be able to destroy illegal devices and conduct random breath tests.
Legal e-bikes and bicycles at the Davies Park markets in West End, Queensland. Felicity Caldwell
Speed limits of 12 kilometres an hour will be enforced near pedestrians, up from 10km/h.
Parents will be fined if their children are riding illegally.
Then from August 31, riders will need a driver’s licence, but there will be exemptions for those with a medical condition.
The need for riders to have a driver’s licence has been an area of concern, given thousands who use the devices are international visitors.
Delivery company Uber Eats has warned the new laws could force it out of the Queensland market. SMH/Steven Siewert
“Only North Korea and New Jersey require you to have a car license of some description to allow you to ride a safe legal e-bike,” Dr Matthew Burke from Bicycle Queensland told 9News.
Large corporations like Uber and Lime gave feedback to a parliamentary committee, flagging concerns and a possible withdrawal from the Queensland market due to the need for all riders to hold a driver license.
In a statement Uber Eats said the new rules “will significantly constrain the delivery community, with flow-on impacts for service reliability, longer delivery times and reduced access for customers and local businesses”.