Safely sharing roads and paths with Personal Mobility Devices

Action 2.3, Action Plan for Walking 2022–2024

Department/Agency: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Status: Complete

Investigate and implement measures that improve the safety of Personal Mobility Device users and their interaction with people walking

Overview

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is carrying out measures as part of the Personal Mobility Device Safety Action Plan. The measures improve community safety. It balances this with the emerging role of Personal Mobility Devices in the mobility ecosystem. Measures encompass legislation, communications, and enforcement.

Achievements

More people are using Personal Mobility Devices, like e-scooters, e-skateboards, and self-balancing 1 or 2-wheelers. In 2022, we rolled out new rules for Personal Mobility Device riders. They included lower speed limits, restricted road access, and tougher penalties.

We also ran a communications campaign. It included social media ads, billboards in areas with higher usage, and content on our and the Queensland Government's StreetSmarts website. We also regularly distributed up-to-date educational material promoting these rules and safe usage.

In 2024, we introduced further rules for Personal Mobility Devices. They address unsafe riding on paths. Riders involved in a crash are required to stop, help, and provide details. We worked with the Queensland Police Service to support high-visibility operations. These targeted Personal Mobility Device riders and unsafe behaviours.

We also set up a joint government and industry safety group for Personal Mobility Devices. This includes:

• local councils
• health
• police
• Personal Mobility Device users
• industry
• other road safety advocates, such as pedestrian, disability, and bicycle user group representatives.

We have accomplished 16 of the 18 actions in the plan. For the outstanding actions, we are exploring options to curb drink and drug riding. We are also assessing the impact of Personal Mobility Device reforms.

Next steps

We will work with stakeholders to promote and support the safety of Personal Mobility Devices for all path and road users in Queensland.

More information

• You can read the Personal Mobility Device Safety Action Plan+ and the e-Mobility Parking Plan summary
• View StreetSmarts information on the new rules for Personal Mobility Device riders.