Queensland police have issued 2,060 fines as part of an e-scooter enforcement operation conducted since last month, with the majority relating to helmet non-compliance. This initiative follows recorded safety concerns, including 14 fatalities involving e-mobility devices this year and thousands of e-scooter-related hospital presentations. A parliamentary inquiry into e-scooters and e-bikes is scheduled to report by the end of March, with legislative changes anticipated.
Enforcement Operation Details
The recent enforcement operation involved over 4,500 police hours and resulted in a total of 2,060 fines across the state. The most frequent infringement was for not wearing helmets. Specific breakdowns of fines issued include:
- 1,652 fines for not using helmets
- 207 fines for prohibited use of an e-scooter on a road
- 72 fines for illegally carrying a passenger
- 68 fines for exceeding the speed limit
- 61 fines for failing to stop for police
Additionally, approximately 100 e-scooters were seized statewide during this period.
Safety Concerns and Data
The enforcement efforts follow warnings from road safety advocates regarding e-scooter safety, particularly for children, citing increases in hospital admissions and fatalities in south-east Queensland.
Research from the Jamieson Trauma Institute, in partnership with RACQ, indicates that over 1,600 e-scooter riders were hospitalized in the first 10 months of the year, averaging five admissions per day. Data collected from January 2018 to October 2025 shows more than 7,200 presentations to Queensland emergency departments following e-scooter crashes. Of these, approximately 30 percent involved head injuries and nearly 24 percent involved facial trauma. In the current year, 14 fatalities involving e-mobility devices have been recorded on Queensland roads.
Official Statements
Police Minister Dan Purdie stated that riders were observed disregarding road rules, which he indicated posed risks to themselves and others. He emphasized the importance of parents and device owners understanding relevant laws and indicated that police enforcement targeting illegal and unsafe e-bike and e-scooter usage would continue.
Inspector Gareth Bosley noted concerns regarding children operating these devices in traffic and their potential lack of understanding of road rules, which he stated places them at risk.
Legislative Review
A parliamentary inquiry examining e-scooters and e-bikes is expected to deliver its report by the end of March. Premier David Crisafulli has indicated that the inquiry's findings are anticipated to lead to legislative changes.