Fifteen police attached to Operation Victor Charm have issued more than 90 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINS) to electric scooter and bicycle riders during an education and enforcement blitz, on and around Brisbane’s Story Bridge last Thursday, May 11.
Targeting speeding and dangerous behaviour on footpaths and bike lanes, the operation ran during peak commuting hours of 3pm to 6pm and overnight between 9pm-2am, with officers issuing 34 PINS for speeding and five for exceeding the speed limit on a bike lane.
North Brisbane District Highway Patrol Senior Constable Duncan Hill said it was disappointing so many riders were not heeding vital safety messages.
“The Story Bridge was chosen due to complaints from the public about the speed and behaviour of some e-scooter riders,” Senior Constable Hill said.
“Increasingly, we’re seeing e-scooter riders suffer serious injuries when they come off-with excessive speed almost always a factor.”
“On a weekly basis, we are seeing riders suffer broken bones, lose teeth and sustain concussions-in almost every case, their crash was preventable if they’d followed the speed limits of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths and 25 km/h on all other bike paths and roads.”
“Too many avoidable incidents are also occurring between e-scooters and pedestrians, for the safety of all people using the paths, it is important that e-scooter riders slow down to 12 kilometres an hour.”
During the operation, one rider was allegedly caught travelling at 40 km/h on a footpath, more than three times the legal limit.
“A collision at that speed can be fatal, for the rider and unsuspecting pedestrians in their path, not to mention the fine of up to $575 dollars,” Senior Constable Hill said.
“E-scooters can be a fun, sustainable and low-cost transport option, but riders must be responsible and ensure they’re keeping to the speed limit, wearing a helmet, not using a mobile phone or doubling another user.”
E-scooter riders if caught over the alcohol limit, can also face similar penalties as if you were behind the wheel of a car.
“Think twice before drink riding on a night out – you could face court, receive a fine of thousands of dollars and lose your driver’s licence,” Senior Constable Hill said.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
