E-Scooter Rules and Fines

There has been an increase across the State in the number of serious crashes involving e-scooters, e-skateboards and similar devices. Many of these crashes are occurring in and around schools involving students.

To ensure you and your child know the rules to stay safe while using these devices, you can visit Streetsmarts Qld for a quick and easy to understand listing of the rules.

Key rules to be aware of include:

AGE

• Primary school aged children, under 12 years, cannot ride e-scooters or e-skateboards at all.
• Children 12 to 15 years can only ride with adult supervision.
• Only those over the age of 16 years can ride e-scooters or e-skateboards.

Supervising adults should ride on a separate device, at a safe following distance from the child riding. THe adult shold always have close direct oversight of the child riding so that direction, guidance and any intervention can be given when needed.

Children under 12 can use push scooters and similar devices, but for more information you can visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads' website.

SAFETY

• Helmets must be used with the straps fastened securely, and bells fitted for any devices with handlebars.
• Only one person should ride on a device at a time - no doubling.
• Riders must ride to the conditions and avoid any unsafe manoeuvres.

ROAD USE

• E-Scooters and E-Skateboards can only be used on the road in very limited circumstances.
• If your child uses an E-Scooter or E-Skateboard, remind them to ride on footpaths, to obey road rules, including speed limits.

SPEED LIMIT ON FOOTPATHS

• The speed limit for footpaths and shared paths is 12 km/h.

Significant fines may apply if riders are caught breaking the rules, including an on-the-spot fine of $1209 for using a mobile phone and a maximum court-imposed penalty of $6452 for careless riding.

For more helpful videos and other safety tips please visit Streetsmarts Qld.