Act now or more young lives are at risk: RACQ issues stark warning

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Motor Trades Association of Queensland, Bicycle Queensland, and Queensland Walks, have united with RACQ to call on the State Government to ramp up enforcement of existing laws to get dangerous, illegal e-devices off our streets and footpaths.

RACQ’s Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said solutions were already available.

“The laws exist to end this epidemic – they just need to be consistently enforced,” Dr Kane said.

“Under current legislation, authorised officers such as police and transport inspectors can issue defect notices and impound illegal vehicles.

“By 31 August 2025, at least 1,248 people were treated in Queensland Emergency Departments after e-scooter crashes – that’s around 156 every month, and that number doesn’t even include e-bike injuries, so the real total is much higher.

“While some injuries involve legal devices, the rise in illegal, high-powered e-devices is fuelling this crisis.

“We’re calling on the State Government to get tough on people breaking the law by impounding all illegal and dangerous two-wheel electric vehicles.

“Any e-mobility device that’s unregistered, unroadworthy, and powered to exceed 25km/hr is illegal to use on public roads and paths because the consequences can be devastating.”

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons sees this devastation firsthand.

“The rate of injury from e-mobility devices has been steadily trending up over the last few years to the point where we are at almost one per day, with the majority being head injuries,” said Associate Professor Bhavesh Patel.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way, it’s an easy fix, we have strict laws for bikes, and it should be no different for e-devices which are even less safe.”

Too many Queenslanders, including an eight-year-old boy, have died because of illegal e-mobility devices, a tragic situation which has prompted the Motor Trades Association of Queensland to speak out.

“Any motorised vehicle that can travel more than 6km per hour without pedalling is not a bicycle - it’s an illegal motorcycle, and it should be treated as one,” said Brad Flanagan, General Manager - Industry & Skills.

“Instead, we have children riding high-powered, unregulated machines with no safety standards, no registration, no insurance, and no training. It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, and it’s killing people.”

Bicycle Queensland has also recently sounded the alarm on the rise in illegal electric devices.

“The recent deaths, while children are using illegal e-motorbikes on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, have been pretty concerning,” said Chief Executive Officer Professor Matthew Burke.

“Bicycle Queensland was advocating for appropriate regulation enforcement over a year ago and has written to the Transport Minister earlier this year.”

Anna Cambell from Queensland Walks joined the calls for a government crackdown as well, raising pedestrian safety as a key concern.

“Queenslanders tell us every day they’re scared to walk on their own footpaths. Fast, illegal devices are forcing people off our paths and making them feel unsafe. These are illegal, they can be policed - and it’s time for action,”

RACQ and its partners were calling for immediate action for:

• Enforcement of existing laws by impounding illegal devices
• Education and targeted messaging for riders and parents of young riders

With Christmas just around the corner, and illegal devices becoming increasingly available, it has never been more important to know the difference between an illegal and legal e-scooter or e-bike.

“I cannot stress this enough, do not risk your child’s life, do not buy them an illegal e-mobility device,” said Dr Kane.

“Key signs you’re about to buy your kids an illegal e-device include a marketed top speed of over 25km/hr, no pedals, and warning labels such as “for private property use only”.

“No one wants to see any more children die, but it’s only a matter of time if we continue to allow illegal, unregistered and uninsured motor vehicles to be ridden in public places.”