How to make walking safer with increasing e-mobility device use in Queensland
E-mobility plays an important role in the way we move people around our cities and suburbs. The introduction of e-scooters, e-bikes (e-mobility devices) and e-motorbikes to Queensland has presented great opportunities and challenges in the urban environment.
Many of these challenges can be alleviated with the right attention to new and safe infrastructure for people walking and people riding, including:
- appropriate off-footpath parking
- prioritising the needs of more vulnerable transport users
- policy development
- incentives and infringements to users, suppliers and asset owners
- data collection of incidents and transparent reporting of crashes, hospital presentations, injuries and fatalities and infringements
- ongoing consultation with stakeholders like Queensland Walks.
Every e-mobility user is a pedestrian at the start and end of their journey, but not all pedestrians benefit from this technology. In some cases, the introduction of e-scooters to cities like Brisbane, without allocated space for the devices has made walking less easy, less safe, less convenient and less enjoyable for people walking. It is a top priority for the success of our cities and suburbs, and for future events that walking to public transport, to events and to work and school is encouraged. To achieve this, safe footpaths are critical.
Queensland Walks continues to see careless and dangerous footpath parking, despite some changes in road rules and compliance by the Queensland Transport and Main Roads Department (TMR). Greater efforts around enforcement and safety are needed to encourage more walkers. We have not yet found the right balance to create or maintain safe spaces for people walking.
‘The visitor survey data indicates e-scooters assisted with tourist dispersal, encouraged tourist spending, replaced some car and ride hailing trips (27.14%), and a sizable amount of walking trips (60.71%)…’
Leung, A. Zhuy, X,. Nurke, M. Yang, E, Kaufman, B., Griffith University. 2022.
What are the main concerns for walker safety and e-mobility devices?
E-mobility devices have the potential to reduce the reliance and need for using a private vehicle, but they must also improve safety for people walking. In some cases, research has shown (Leung, A. Zhuy, X,. Nurke, M. Yang, E, Kaufman, B. 2022) that people are choosing to ride a device rather than getting the benefit from walking which can have an impact to local business who rely on foot traffic.
Queensland Walks knows that choosing e-mobility rather than walking may be more attributable to the footpath design (e.g. unshaded, uneven surface, gradient not suitable, lack of widths), or the footpath has not been adequately maintained (footpath closure, trip hazards, clutter on path etc). We therefore recommend that increasing investment is directed to footpath upgrades, shaded paths and safe crossings. We refer to our Queensland Walking Alliance recommendations Accessible and Inclusive Streets, and Safer Streets Now.
Queensland Walks has significant concerns about the safety of environments used for walking and e-mobility devices including:
- the erosion of footpath and walking spaces due to the number of devices
- e-mobility users parking the devices in places that significantly:
- narrows footpaths
- blocks kerb ramps or
- blocks entry and exit points or fire escapes and make it especially dangerous and difficult for people using prams or wheelchairs, people with balance or other mobility issues or residents who are low vision or blind.
- people feeling unsafe, anxious and unprotected in places where they walk
- high speeds on shared paths and footpaths
- intoxicated or undesirable riding behaviour
- younger riders using powered devices who are not yet familiar with road rules
- reduced foot traffic for local activation, business and successful placemaking.
‘Pedestrian and disability interest groups have expressed concerns dockless shared e-devices can create trip hazards or block footpaths. Such concerns are valid, and addressing them will require careful management by scheme operators and local authorities.’
Leung and Bland, 2022. The Conversation.
‘I don’t mind eScooters I just dislike them being dumped everywhere, and trying to walk around them. I also find it not enjoyable to go for a stroll and feel as though people on scooters are riding particularly close or I have to move off the pathway into grass/dirt/mud whilst walking.’
Buning,R., Pham, W., Chen, M. University of Queensland. 2023.
Footpath parking of e-devices where we walk
Problem: We continue to see e-scooters parked in inappropriate places on the footpath – regardless of the supplier. Inappropriate parking continues to occur in entertainment, education and employment precincts and left on paths or on shared spaces and near public transport hubs.
Solution: Inappropriate parking can be alleviated by parking off the footpath, and designated parking bays located off the footpath, on street or specific allocated parking. We will rarely recommend footpath parking, particularly in a CBD setting where wide footpaths are necessary to carry peak and event capacity.
We encourage councils with e-mobility service agreements to require contractors who benefit financially from existing infrastructure to be contributing to the budgets of footpath and cycling infrastructure, maintenance and overall improvement of the walking and riding spaces.
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1992 – SECT 23
Access to premises
It is unlawful for a person to discriminate against another person on the ground of the other person’s disability:
(a) by refusing to allow the other person access to, or the use of, any premises that the public or a section of the public is entitled or allowed to enter or use (whether for payment or not); or
(b) in the terms or conditions on which the first – mentioned person is prepared to allow the other person access to, or the use of, any such premises; or
(c) in relation to the provision of means of access to such premises; or
(d) by refusing to allow the other person the use of any facilities in such premises that the public or a section of the public is entitled or allowed to use (whether for payment or not); or
(e) in the terms or conditions on which the first – mentioned person is prepared to allow the other person the use of any such facilities; or
(f) by requiring the other person to leave such premises or cease to use such facilities.
Rider behaviour of e-devices in areas where we walk
Problem: Some riders are still travelling faster than 12.5km/hr on the footpath, and faster than 25 km/hr on shared paths – weaving in between people walking, doubling, and using the devices under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Solution: We support Qld Police Service (QPS) and recommend allocating resources to the policing of speed, behaviour and drug or alcohol use. Injuries or death to pedestrians because of new technology is extremely concerning. We support the work of the Jamieson Trauma Institute research, and we look forward to TMR further funding pedestrian research as they have done with e-mobility, Mobility as a Service and more.
Transport and Main Roads have taken leadership on legislative changes and consultation via the Personal Mobility Devices Safety and Parking advisory group, and we encourage local councils to ensure that the needs of people walking are met with safe and connected footpaths, crossings, shading and more, regardless of any new technology.
E-motorbikes
Problem: Queensland Walks is aware of the increasing popularity of e-motorbikes. We are concerned that these bikes appear to be more like e-bikes when they are technically e-motorbikes and are being used on footpaths, and on shared paths where motorbikes are not permitted. We are equally concerned that Queensland parents are purchasing e-motorbikes from Queensland and online retailers for children without being aware of the requirements to hold a motorcycle licence.
Due to the variety and range of e-bikes, especially fat tyred e-bikes, it is increasingly difficult for Queensland families to navigate what can be legally purchased and ridden on a footpath, or what children are legally able to ride.
Solution: Better checks and balances to ensure that importation guidelines are clear and only legal devices can be sold in Australia and in Queensland, and that all owners are giving a buyer beware document of where e-motorbikes can be ridden, and where they are not legally allowed to be used.
Note: It is critical that Queensland Police, Transport and Main Roads and all media are careful in their definition of e-bikes and e-motorbikes. In the images below, the heading reads ‘E-bike Laws and Dangers’, when the article and images depict e-motorbikes.
Queensland Police Service article 5 Feb 2025
In conclusion Queensland Walks recommends
That the Sustainable Transport User Hierarchy is used in all situations to ensure that people walking are prioritised (safety, infrastructure design and more)
That state government and councils allocate budget and provide appropriate separation between people walking and people moving on bikes, e-bikes, and skateboards and scooters where identified as high- need and high-volume precincts (pedestrian areas, active transport commuter routes)
Appropriate policing and fining of e-scooter riders that are travelling too fast on footpaths, riding dangerously or are under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Develop a central reporting mechanism housed with State Government to report and respond to hired e-scooters that are parked in inappropriate areas rather than to each individual company
Councils to have higher expectations of contractors who provide e-scooter and bike hire services. Failure to comply must result in infringements or fines so that the hire company is responsive
An escalation in the response to managing and policing inappropriate use of e-motorbike riding in urban Queensland locations.
We encourage all forms of active transport that reduces our reliance on private motor vehicles however the uptake of e-mobility should not inhibit the safety and comfort of people who walk, run, roll and stroll, and we encourage everyone to make walking a priority in Queensland.
References
ABC online News 10 December 2024. ‘Queensland father fined as Noosa police crack down on kids riding e-motorbikes’.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-10/sunshine-coast-electric-motorbike-crackdown-e-bikes-qld/104706712
Bicycle Queensland Position. ‘High powered e-bikes’. https://bq.org.au/advocacy-statement/#highpoweredebikes
Buning,R., Pham, W., Chen, M. University of Queensland. 2023 ‘So, what do you think about eScooters and eBikes? Understanding visitor and resident experiences and perceptions with micromobility in Brisbane’. https://business.uq.edu.au/files/104406/micromobility-in-brisbane-report.pdf
Leung, A., Bland, M., The Conversation.2022. ‘Thinking of swerving high fuel prices with an e-scooter or e-bike? 5 crucial questions answered’. https://theconversation.com/thinking-of-swerving-high-fuel-prices-with-an-e-scooter-or-e-bike-5-crucial-questions-answered-179563
Leung, A. Zhuy, X,. Nurke, M. Yang, E, Kaufman, B. Griffith University. 2022 ‘Do city visitors who use e-scooters more often, spend more? A spatiotemporal analysis of tourism dispersal in Townsville, Australia’ https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/items/01b501f1-675b-4f1b-9ba5-08462fb4c010
Queensland Police Service. ‘E Bike Laws and Dangers’. Inspector Corey Allen on Feb 5, 2025 @ 7:08am’. https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/brisbanewest/2025/02/05/e-bike-laws-and-dangers/
Queensland Government. StreetSmarts ‘Electric Bike Rules’. https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/electric-bikes/