The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has expressed support for the state government’s decision to initiate a parliamentary inquiry into the safety of personal mobility devices, citing ongoing injury risks and a notable increase in insurance claims tied to electric scooters and bicycles.
The move to investigate e-mobility safety follows research conducted in collaboration with the Jamieson Trauma Institute and funded through a partnership with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation.
The findings highlighted a concerning pattern of severe injuries and fatalities linked to e-scooter incidents across the state.
RACQ said its advocacy team has long campaigned for changes to legislation governing e-scooter usage, including the introduction of stricter helmet standards and the broader use of more stable, seated scooter models in public hire schemes. These recommendations will form the basis of a submission to the inquiry.
RACQ general manager of advocacy Joshua Cooney noted that e-scooters have become part of everyday transport in Queensland, highlighting the importance of taking a close look at how they can be integrated into the transport network safely.
“We cannot deny that e-scooters have become a popular mode of transport across the state and will continue to become increasingly important in the mobility landscape,” he said. “Our members and the research tell us that we must find ways to co-exist and make them safer for all road users.”
Figures from the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit revealed that emergency departments in the state reported 1,504 presentations resulting from e-scooter incidents in 2024 – up from 1,273 the previous year. Additionally, eight fatalities involving e-scooters or other personal mobility devices were recorded.
RACQ Insurance also noted a rise in accident claims involving cyclists and scooter riders. Between March 2024 and February 2025, 186 vehicle-related insurance claims involving these devices were lodged – an increase of 22% compared to the prior year. Incidents were concentrated in high-traffic tourist areas, including the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Townsville.
Claim patterns showed incidents most commonly occur in the late afternoon, around 3pm to 5pm, overlapping with school pickup times and peak commuting hours. Lower visibility and driver fatigue were identified as factors contributing to this risk period.
A member survey conducted by RACQ found that while the majority of Queensland drivers regularly encounter cyclists, only a small percentage are familiar with road-sharing regulations. One in four respondents said they had little to no knowledge of relevant traffic laws, while 12% reported near-misses with cyclists.
Cooney reiterated the legal obligations for motorists, including maintaining a minimum passing distance of one metre when driving at 60 km/h or below, and 1.5 metres at higher speeds.
In a separate development, the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct is still undergoing a formal review, with public consultation extended until late June. The process, managed by the Code Administration Committee – comprising the Insurance Council of Australia and the Motor Trades Association of Australia – aims to modernise the code and address governance, disciplinary, and assessment practices in insurer-repairer relations.
