If unsafe e-scooter rides by kids get under your skin, you’ll want to hear about this $1,161 fine

E-scooters have become a popular choice for getting around Australian cities, offering convenience and a greener alternative to traditional transport.

Yet, recent incidents have raised urgent questions about safety and compliance with the rules designed to protect riders and pedestrians alike.

What appeared to be everyday use has instead highlighted worrying behaviour with potentially serious consequences.


Many Australians have increasingly embraced e-scooters as a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate city streets, avoiding traffic jams and parking difficulties.

However, a concerning incident in Cairns, Queensland, brought attention to dangerous practices involving these devices.

On 26 May, two adults, believed to be parents, were spotted riding e-scooters with two young children standing in front of them—none of the children wore helmets.


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Parents fined after kids ride e-scooters helmet-free. Image source: Facebook/J Nelson


A bystander shared a photo of the family on social media, asking: ‘Is this legal?’ and pointing out: ‘Adults have helmets on in case they fall off, but the two small children standing on the front have no helmets?’

Queensland Police confirmed this behaviour violated multiple e-scooter regulations.

‘Children under 12 are not permitted to ride, everyone must wear a helmet, and there must only be one person on each device,’ a police spokeswoman said.

E-scooters are classified as personal mobility devices (PMDs) in Queensland and are governed by strict safety laws.

Queensland Government regulations state that e-scooters are designed for single riders only, and carrying passengers—even small children—is illegal and carries a $161 fine.

All riders must wear a properly fastened helmet, with the same penalty for non-compliance.

Riders must also be at least 16 years old, which, if breached, attracts another $161 fine.


Combined, these breaches could total $483 in fines.

More serious offences, including reckless or dangerous riding such as carrying children or failing to wear helmets, may result in fines up to $1,161.

This incident comes amid a recent enforcement crackdown on the Gold Coast, where police issued 25 traffic infringement notices in one day targeting unsafe PMD use.

Seven of those fines related specifically to e-scooters and e-bikes, covering offences like riding without helmets, speeding, using prohibited areas, and allowing children under 10 to ride.


Senior Sergeant Steve Young highlighted a disturbing example where a 10-year-old was caught performing ‘wheelies’ on an e-scooter on a road.

‘His mother was issued a fine after admitting she allowed him to use the device,’ Young said.

‘We know these devices are popular and can be great for getting around—but they’re not toys. They can be dangerous when used incorrectly or without proper safety gear.’

‘Many riders were found to be doing the right thing, and we thank them,’ he added. ‘But for those ignoring the rules, especially when it comes to helmets, speed, and age restrictions, we will continue to take action.’


Safety concerns around e-scooters have intensified as recent research showed a rising number of deaths linked to their use in Australia.

Associate Professor Milad Haghani from the University of Melbourne revealed a troubling trend: ‘We've identified a shocking over-representation of children…the fatalities that involve children, the vast majority of them have occurred in collisions with other vehicles.’

Over the past five years, 30 people have died using e-scooters in Australia, with 11 of those being children.

Queensland recorded the highest toll with 15 fatalities, while Western Australia and Victoria had six each, New South Wales two, and the Australian Capital Territory one.


In a previous story, we explored how e-bikes and e-scooters are sparking strong opinions across NSW.

If you’re curious about why some people either love or hate these new rides, it’s worth a read.

Check out the full story here to get the full picture.

Key Takeaways
  • Two adults were seen riding e-scooters with young children standing in front without helmets in Cairns, breaching Queensland laws.
  • Queensland regulations require riders to be 16 or older, wear helmets, and allow only one person per e-scooter, with fines up to $1,161 for serious breaches.
  • Police issued multiple fines on the Gold Coast for unsafe personal mobility device use, including a 10-year-old fined for dangerous riding.
  • Research shows 30 e-scooter deaths in Australia over five years, with children disproportionately affected, mostly in collisions with vehicles.

With e-scooters becoming more common on our streets, what do you think needs to change to make them safer for everyone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 

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What neglectful idiot parents theses two are. No other words 😤
Kind regards Vicki
 
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On my way to work at 8.00am ready to turn left when all of a sudden this bloody school kid on a e-scooter (no helmet) came flying across the road from footpath to footpath doing more than 70kph. Got the shock of my life and the stupid idiot didn't even look to see if there was any traffic coming - just zipped straight across. Luckily I was able to brake and not hit him otherwise he would have been dead - not from the contact with my car but by the violent fall at speed with no protection.
Cannot see the benefit of these stupid electric scooters and bikes - ride a normal bike if you want to get around. At least it won't explode in fire like the electronic ones are prone to doing.
 
Please come to my area police! Three to a bike, no helmets, under age. The ones with a single rider on the road in the dark doing wheelies. They are becoming a real problem. Unregistered bush motor bikes, everywhere. Parents buy them and then take no responsibility. I have to do 40kph in school zones whilst these idiots take no care for their own safety
 
Are you one of the lycra clad idiots who think they own shared pathways to the detriment of pedestrians and mobility device users?

I hope you aware that pedestrians and mobility device users have absolute right of way on such pathways. It is the LAW.

If you. in "control" of a push bike, hit and cause injury to a pedestrian, are you willing to pay for medical costs, damages due to lack of earnings and psychological distress? That is why you need to be licenced and insured for third party personal and property damage.

Are prepared to lose you house and other possessions in the event of such a scenario when you are the recipient of a damages suit just because you think you have a right to pedal around on your flimsy piece of metal?

Oh but....you will be quick to sue a motorist who knocks you over when you go through a red light or stop sign.
Totally agree with you.

I am a disabled person and still liked to take a very short walk in my neighbourhood until recently when a man solo cyclist came flying past me and scared the crap out of me. Then again, also recently a couple of parents with 2 of their offspring came riding "willy-nilly" past me and none of them rang their bell either. I called out to the parents as they rode past "why don't you ring your bell and teach your young ones the legal laws", I was totally ignored. By law every cyclist (bicycle or scooter) must ring their bell to indicate to the pedestrian of their presence, but of the 40 years I've been walking I could count on one of my hands the amount of bell-ringers that have alerted me. The older generation like to get out and get a little fresh air now and then just like the younger generation, but they forget that some of us aren't as steady on our feet anymore, so they should ring their bell to aware us of their oncoming presence for our safety.
 
A 25 year old Pommie female tourist git, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.158, collided with a Perth father and husband, causing critical injuries and eventually death on Saturday night.

She has been charged with dangerous driving causing death. So who pays for compensation to the deceased family? No one! Because there is not a licencing and insurance scheme in place for these electric menaces.

Same goes for those lycra gaibois who should be banned from footpaths AND roads. If you want to play racer boys, try a velodrome.
 
Please come to my area police! Three to a bike, no helmets, under age. The ones with a single rider on the road in the dark doing wheelies. They are becoming a real problem. Unregistered bush motor bikes, everywhere. Parents buy them and then take no responsibility. I have to do 40kph in school zones whilst these idiots take no care for their own safety
Totally agree with you. We had the same problem with the young guys riding their unregistered bush motor bikes and no helmets for years. Thankfully, they may have been caught by the Police or "maybe" have grown out of their bush motor bikes as I haven't heard them now for a few months. Hopefully they were caught out by the Police as there's always others out there wanting to enjoy the daily walk without these idiots.
 
A 25 year old Pommie female tourist git, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.158, collided with a Perth father and husband, causing critical injuries and eventually death on Saturday night.

She has been charged with dangerous driving causing death. So who pays for compensation to the deceased family? No one! Because there is not a licencing and insurance scheme in place for these electric menaces.

Same goes for those lycra gaibois who should be banned from footpaths AND roads. If you want to play racer boys, try a velodrome.
Veggiepatch we need you out there to tell 'em what to do, seriously. :giggle: :giggle:
 
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I would have reasoned that an open and motorized mode of transport for road use, with brakes only would be regulated to mandatory Helmet for Driver, Front and Rear Lights, Turn Indicators and with the Legal requirement of Registration and Insurance. Surely, this is an absolute necessity.
 
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