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.”
