Safety check for Brisbane e-scooter riders

A University of Queensland study has examined the behaviour of e-scooter riders in Brisbane before and after the introduction of tighter regulations.

A team led by Dr Richard Buning from the UQ Business School’s Micromobility Research Cluster was commissioned by the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to look at speed, helmet use and where e-scooters were being ridden.

“Queensland’s road rules for e-scooters were changed in November 2022 to help improve safety on streets and footpaths,” Dr Buning said.

“Our team analysed data from more than 200 hours of traffic camera footage of both rideshare/public and private e-scooters in 8 Brisbane locations, captured in October 2022 and again in October 2023.

“We found 52 per cent of riders observed the 12 km/h speed limit introduced for footpaths – with most of those who didn’t comply travelling only just over the speed limit, at less than 15 km/h.

“On allowed paths like bicycle lanes and on-road paths, 82 per cent stuck to the 25 km/h e-scooter speed limit.

“Riders were more likely to stay within the speed limit in high density areas like the CBD where there are more pedestrians.”

Dr Buning said helmet compliance was largely high across the board, perhaps because of well-established rules for cyclists.

“Public e-scooter riders were less likely to wear helmets, which might be explained by shorter rides and in lower-risk areas like the CBD and on footpaths, or perhaps an unwillingness to wear a shared helmet,” he said.   

The study showed some difference in where public and private e-scooters are ridden.

“People on share e-scooters tended to ride on footpaths and avoid recently allowed infrastructure such as on-road bike lanes, implying less knowledge and understanding of road rules,” Dr Buning said.

“Encouragingly, when a bike lane - and even more so when a separated bike path was present – we saw riders were more likely to use them instead of the footpath, and to ride within the speed limit.

“This shows infrastructure influences rider behaviour.”

Dr Buning noted TMR ran a comprehensive communications campaign ahead of the road rule changes.

“This included ads on billboards and social media including its StreetSmarts channels, as well as brochures and handouts with QR code links to information about rules on speed limits and where to ride,” he said.

“Our report includes a recommendation for a mandate that share companies and retailers provide e-scooter users with the road rules and associated penalties.

“Currently there’s no such information provided at retail outlets for people buying scooters.

“For public schemes, the use timers often begin while the rules are being shown, encouraging users to skip through the notices quickly.”

Dr Buning said Queensland leads the country in e-scooter adoption, with the most accommodating regulations.

“Previous research has showed e-scooters are a valuable asset to Brisbane that enhance the perceptions and experiences of both residents and tourists, so it is an important area to continue researching in future studies.”

The research team has made a submission to the Queensland Government’s E-mobility Safety Inquiry, which is due to report to parliament by March 2026.

E-scooter rules in Queensland

• OK to ride on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths, on-road bicycle lanes with a speed limit of less than 50 km/h & local 50 km/h roads with no dividing line
• 12 km/h speed limit on footpaths & 25 km/h on other allowed paths
• Helmets are mandatory
• No riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or while using a mobile phone
• No driver licence required

Collaboration and acknowledgements