QUT researchers have made a submission to the Inquiry into e-mobility safety and use in Queensland. The submission was led by Professor Julie-Anne Tarr, with Associate Professor Michael Guihot, Professor Tina Cockburn and Professor Karen Sullivan.
This submission is made in response to growing concern that Queensland’s current regulatory and governance framework for personal mobility devices (PMDs) and e-bikes is failing to adequately protect public health, safety, and insurance interests—not only for users, but also for third parties affected by their use. The risk of injury to third parties is exacerbated by the unlicensed, uninsured, untrained and unsupervised use of vehicles that commonly exceed 30 km/h on roads, footpaths, and other public spaces. Without a Compulsory Third Party scheme, those impacted or injured by PMDs and e-bikes are left with few options outside of taking on personal litigation efforts for compensation.
Recent emergency department figures relating to injuries from PMDs and e-bikes use reflect systemic shortcomings in the current regime and underscore the urgent need for reform to ensure that PMDs are integrated into Queensland’s transport system in a way that is safe, sustainable, and properly insured.
The researchers acknowledge the growing role that PMDs and e-bikes are playing in Queensland’s transport network and the importance of supporting innovative, sustainable mobility solutions. While considering this, their submission highlights that the current regulatory framework is inconsistent and does not adequately address the health, safety and legal risks associated with these devices. Attention is needed to ensure that safety risks are adequately managed, insurance frameworks clarified, and laws harmonised across jurisdictions.
More information
ACHLR’s submission to the Inquiry into e-mobility safety and use in Queensland is now available on ePrints.
