Queensland has introduced a crackdown on e-scooter “cowboys” with dashing and drink driving on footpaths set to be outlawed.
However, the state authorities is unable to affirm when new reforms might be in place, saying additional discussions might take months.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey mentioned e-scooter velocity limits might be reduce by half to 12km/hr on footpaths and warning gadgets like bells might be mandated.
Mr Bailey desires police to give you the chance to “throw the book” at rogue riders on footpaths.
“Those sorts of cowboys in the e-scooter community, we want to sort them out,” he mentioned on Sunday.
“If you are speeding in a car you get fined, if you are speeding on an e-scooter you should be fined as well.
“Drink driving is a matter. I need to see that stamped out as nicely. If you’re over .05 and on certainly one of these items you’re unsafe.”
But Mr Bailey said there was still work to be done on aligning different rules of enforcement for roads and footpaths, and resolving issues on “is it a automobile, is it not a automobile”.
Other measures would include creating parking rules to keep footpaths clear and looking at shared laneways.
He said new reforms were needed with e-scooter use in Queensland “practically double the nationwide fee” since they were legalised in 2018.
“What we’re discovering is lots of pedestrians really feel threatened once they (e-scooters) are ridden on footpaths,” Mr Bailey mentioned.
“One of the primary points I used to be involved about is listening to that individuals with disabilities have been feeling so threatened that they have been shifting round locally loads much less, notably individuals with visible impairments.
“Another issue that concerns me is how they are parked … people particularly with visual impairment are fearful of falling over them.”
An e-scooter security training marketing campaign is deliberate alongside the brand new measures, he mentioned.