Minister for Transport and Main Roads The Honourable Brent Mickelberg
E-Mobility Safety Hearing Begins on Gold Coast
- Public hearings are being held at the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Brisbane as part of Parliamentary Inquiry into e-mobility safety.
- Committee to hear from community members across Queensland as it considers safety improvements to address serious incidents.
- Five people have died in Queensland so far this year in Personal Mobility Device (PMD) crashes.
A public hearing into e-mobility use and safety in Queensland is being held at Robina today as part of the Parliamentary Inquiry into the future use of the devices.
The hearings give locals the opportunity to share their experiences and help shape policy around the safe and effective use of e-scooters, e-bikes, and other PMDs.
The Inquiry will consider:
- The benefits of e-mobility devices
- Safety risks
- Current rules and how they compare with other jurisdictions
- Enforcement approaches
- Importation laws
- Communication and education
- Stakeholder views.
The former Labor Government failed to keep pace with the rapid growth of e-mobility in Queensland by failing to update laws and turned a blind eye to the rise of illegal, high-powered e-scooters and e-bikes
Between 2021 and 2024, there was a 112 per cent increase in injuries to PMD riders and passengers and pedestrians, and, tragically, there have been five fatalities so far this year.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the inquiry was a vital step in ensuring Queensland’s transport network evolved safely and inclusively.
“E-mobility devices are changing the way Queenslanders move, and we need to make sure our laws, regulations and infrastructure keep pace,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“We are taking action in a bid to save lives and prevent people getting hurt, and these hearings are a chance for the public to help guide the safe and reliable future use of e-scooters and e-bikes across Queensland, particularly in the lead up to the 2032 Games.”
Committee Chair, Jim McDonald MP, encouraged residents to attend and contribute to the discussion.
“We’ve already heard a wide range of views with around 1,200 submissions received so far from commuters and councils to health professionals and industry experts,” Mr McDonald said.
“The community’s input is vital to helping the Committee make informed recommendations to the Government that reflect the needs and concerns of everyday Queenslanders.”
Member for Mudgeeraba, Ros Bates, said the inquiry was a timely opportunity to address growing safety concerns raised by locals.
“Locals across the Mudgeeraba electorate are rightly concerned about the rise in dangerous e-scooter use – especially around schools, shopping centres, and shared paths. We’ve seen too many close calls and serious injuries,” Ms Bates said.
“This inquiry is a chance to make sure our laws catch up with reality and put community safety first.”
Member for Burleigh Hermann Vorster said it was no accident that the inquiry was holding a public hearing on the Gold Coast.
“The southern Gold Coast has been raising the alarm for years while Labor turned a blind eye,” Mr Vorster said.
“Palm Beach Currumbin High is just one of many local schools dealing with dangerous rider behaviour, lax import rules, and a shortage of frontline enforcement — problems left to fester under Labor, but now being addressed by a fresh government delivering real change.”
Member for Currumbin Laura Gerber said she shared locals’ concerns about the rise in dangerous and illegal e-scooter and e-bike use on the Southern Gold Coast.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/103159