Rules for riders

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules for Riders – Where you can ride and speed limits’ animates on screen, with icons of each personal mobility device. 

On screen: Animated character riding along a footpath on an e-scooter, passing pedestrians and path users safely.

Narrator: Do you know where you’re permitted to ride e-scooters, e-skateboards, and similar devices? 

Narrator: You can travel on footpaths at a maximum speed of 12 kilometres per hour.

Narrator: You should stay to the left, if possible, and always keep a safe distance from others. Give way to other path users and anticipate their movements.

On Screen: Animated character moves to the left side of the path.

On Screen: We change vision to an e-skateboard rider travelling along the shared path, passing cyclists. We see the rider pass a shared path sign.

Narrator: You can also use shared paths – these are usually signed with a symbol of a pedestrian above a bicycle. A maximum speed of 12 kilometres per hour also applies here, unless signed otherwise.

On Screen: The vision changes and we see the e-skateboarder riding on one side of the separated path.

Narrator: You can use the bike side of the separated footpath but not the pedestrian side.

On Screen: The vision changes and we see the e-skateboarder riding on one side of the dedicated bike path, with the cyclists on a bikeway and we see a bikeway sign.

Narrator: Dedicated bike paths can also be used. The maximum speed limit here is 25 kilometres per hour.

On Screen: The vision changes and we see the e-skateboarder travelling in an on-road bike lane with the bike lane sign present. Cars travel past the rider. There’s a 50km/h speed limit sign on the road for vehicles.

Narrator: You can ride in bike lanes on roads that are 50 kilometres per hour or less. 25 kilometres per hour is still the maximum speed that you can travel here. 

On Screen: The vision changes and we see an e-scooter rider travelling along a local road.

Narrator: You can also use local streets if they have a speed limit of 50 kilometres or less with no dividing line or median strip. You must also keep as far to the left side of the road as you safely can. 

On Screen: In the background we see a police officer writing up a fine for an e-scooter rider. 

Narrator: Police can issue on the spot fines of more than $500 for anyone speeding on e-scooters, e-skateboards, and similar devices. Stay within the limit for everyone’s safety.  

Narrator: Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on riding rules and safety.

On screen: Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules for Riders – Mobile phone use’ animated on screen, with icons of each personal mobility device.

On screen: Animated character riding along a footpath on an e-scooter. They are looking down at their phone while riding.

Narrator: It’s illegal to use your hand-held mobile phone while riding an e-scooter, e-skateboard or similar devices. If you are caught doing so, police can issue on the spot fines of more than $1000.

On screen: They are stopped by a police officer and given a fine.

On Screen: We change vision to another device rider, riding along with their phone mounted to their handlebars.

Narrator: Mounting your phone to the handlebars to use is ok, but only if you’re not distracted and you’re not holding or resting your phone on any part of your body.

Narrator: Whenever you ride, concentrate on riding and leave your phone alone.

Narrator: Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on riding rules and safety.

On screen: We end the video with the Queensland Government crest.

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules for Riders – Age limits & doubling’ animates on screen, with icons of each personal mobility device. 

On screen: We see an animated character (child) on an e-scooter riding down a footpath, with an ‘X’ to show this is the incorrect behaviour.

Narrator: Children 11 years or under must not ride e-scooters, e-skateboards or similar devices.

On screen: The device changes to a push scooter, with a tick, to show this is the correct behaviour. The child pushes the scooter along with their feet, before it changes to a small powered scooter

Narrator: Children can ride lower powered devices such as small foot powered scooters and scooters with a 10km/h limit, powered by a small electric motor of 200 watts or less. These have their own set of rules.

On screen: Search bar appears with ‘TMR wheeled recreational devices’ featured, for more rules on small electric motored devices.

On screen: A teenage character (much taller) on an e-scooter rides up slowly behind the small child, accompanied by a supervising adult.

Narrator: 12- to 15-year-olds can only ride them with adult supervision.

On screen: An adult riding an e-scooter with their child as passenger ride past in the opposite direction. They are stopped by a police officer who starts talking to the adult and issues them with a fine.

Narrator: 16-year-olds and over are allowed to ride these devices but it is against the law to carry a passenger, no matter how big or small. These devices have been designed for one person at a time and fines apply for doubling.

Narrator: Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on riding rules and safety.

On screen: Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules for Riders – Safety gear’ animates on screen, with icons of each personal mobility device.

On screen: Animated character riding along a footpath on an e-scooter, passing pedestrians and path users safely.

Narrator: You must wear a helmet with the straps fastened when riding an e-scooter, e-skateboard, or similar devices. This can be an approved bicycle helmet or a motorcycle helmet.

On screen: Animation shows an approved bicycle helmet and then a motorcycle helmet on the rider.

On screen: We change vision to an e-skateboard rider travelling on a shared path, fully-kitted in protective gear.

Narrator: Additional protective gear like elbow and knee pads and high visibility clothing is also recommended. Remember, you’re always safer if others can see you.

On screen: Animated character waves at stationary cyclist

On screen: We change vision to see an e-scooter rider testing out their bell.

Narrator: If your device has handlebars like an e-scooter, it must be fitted with a warning device like a bell. Use this to alert others of your presence.

On screen: We change vision and see an e-scooter rider at night with white front light and red back light on. The rider uses their brakes to avoid hitting a possum on the footpath

Narrator: All rideable devices must have lights and reflectors to use at night or in hazardous conditions, and be fitted with effective brakes. You never know when you’ll need them, so check before you ride.

Narrator; Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on riding rules and safety. 

On screen: Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.

Rules for Riders – Age limits & doubling 

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules for Riders – Age limits & doubling’ animates on screen, with icons of each personal mobility device.

On screen: We see an animated character (child) on an e-scooter riding down a footpath, with an ‘X’ to show this is the incorrect behaviour.

Narrator: Children 11 years or under must not ride e-scooters, e-skateboards or similar devices.

On screen: The device changes to a push scooter, with a tick, to show this is the correct behaviour. The child pushes the scooter along with their feet, before it changes to a small powered scooter 

Narrator: Children can ride lower powered devices such as small foot powered scooters and scooters with a 10km/h limit, powered by a small electric motor of 200 watts or less. These have their own set of rules.

On screen: Search bar appears with ‘TMR wheeled recreational devices’ featured, for more rules on small electric motored devices.

On screen: A teenage character (much taller) on an e-scooter rides up slowly behind the small child, accompanied by a supervising adult.

Narrator: 12- to 15-year-olds can only ride them with adult supervision.

On screen: An adult riding an e-scooter with their child as passenger ride past in the opposite direction. They are stopped by a police officer who starts talking to the adult and issues them with a fine.

Narrator: 16-year-olds and over are allowed to ride these devices but it is against the law to carry a passenger, no matter how big or small. These devices have been designed for one person at a time and fines apply for doubling.

Narrator: Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on riding rules and safety.

On screen: Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules for Riders – Safe Parking’ animates on screen, with icons for an e-scooter and e-bike

Narrator: Rules for Riders – Safe parking

On screen: Animated character pushes their e-scooter along a footpath, with an e-skateboarder passing by.

Narrator: Here are some simple dos and don‘ts for parking your e-scooters and e-bikes, so that they don’t become a hazard to path users.  

On screen: We change vision to a rider safely parking their e-scooter in a designated parking area, whilst using the e-scooter provider’s app.

Narrator: Look out for designated parking areas. These are clearly marked and are the best place to park your device. You can find the nearest designated parking area in the provider’s app.

On screen: We change vision to see an e-scooter rider parking their device in the middle of the path, which blocks the path for other users, before moving the e-scooter towards the edge of the curb.

Narrator: If there isn’t a designated parking area nearby it’s important that you park your device in a way that doesn’t block the path or create issues for other path users, including people who are blind or who have low vision.

On screen: We change vision to see e-devices parked successfully at the side of the path nearest to the road, allowing a pedestrian who is blind or has low vision to have a clear pathway and to use the edge of the building as a guide.

Narrator: If you’re in a busy city environment, park on the side of the path nearest to the road. This leaves the edge of buildings clear for people who are blind or have low vision to use as a guide.

On screen: We change vision to see a pedestrian in a wheelchair and a pedestrian with a white cane, passing several e-scooters parked at the side of the path. We zoom in to see the tactile ground surface indicators on the floor, used by people with white canes.

Narrator: Make sure you leave enough space for people who use wheelchairs to pass easily. And leave plenty of clear space around tactile ground surface indicators used by people with white canes.

On screen: We change vision to see the corner of the street, with an e-scooter parked sufficiently clear of a pedestrian crossing, kerb ramp and doorways.

Narrator: Always keep clear of pedestrian crossings, kerb ramps and doorways so you don’t block access to and from buildings.

On screen: We change vision to see an e-scooter parked at the side of the curb, clear of a bus stop.

Narrator: And never park your devices in loading or taxi zones, bus stops, in front of fire hydrants or mailboxes.

On screen: We change vision to see an e-scooter rider parked on a grass nature strip in the suburbs. The device is upright, and the stand is down, making sure it doesn’t fall.

Narrator: If you’re in the suburbs, park on the grass nature strip and not on the path. Make sure the device is upright and the stand is down, so it doesn’t fall onto the path or parked cars.

On screen: We change vision to see an e-rider locking his e-scooter away at a bike rack.

Narrator: If you own your own device, park at bike racks and remember to securely lock your device.

On screen: Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.

Narrator: Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on riding rules and safety.

On screen: Video title, ‘Rules to Protect Riders’ animates on screen, with icons of an e-scooter, e-skateboard, e-bike and non-powered bike.

Narrator: Rules to Protect Riders

On screen: Animated bike rider and e-scooter rider riding on a local street (no dividing line and limited traffic). Cars pass safely.

Narrator: People riding bicycles or personal mobility devices like e-scooters, are some of our most vulnerable road users. Follow these simple rules to share the road safely.

On screen: Change to a Birdseye view of a local street with a bike rider and e-scooter rider riding on the far left. Cars are passing, leaving at least 1m distance between them and the riders. The animation could show the 1m distance with an arrow

Narrator: You must leave a safe passing distance when overtaking riders. On roads with a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour or less, leave at least 1 meter. Safe overtaking rules apply on all roads, even where you don’t expect to see riders.

On screen: Change to a faster speed road environment (speed limit 70km/h) with lane markings. This time only feature a bike rider as e-scooters cannot use these roads. Cars are passing, leaving at least 1.5m distance between them and the riders. The cars can cross the centre line to pass. The animation could show the 1.5m distance with an arrow

Narrator: On roads with a speed limit of more than 60 kilometers per hour, leave at least 1.5 meters . You can cross the centre lines while passing, so long as it is safe to do so. Be patient and wait until it is safe to pass.

On screen: Change to a road with a side street. A bike rider is riding along the footpath and across the side road and a car wants to turn left into that road. The car stops and waits for the bike rider to cross before turning.

Narrator: When turning, give way to riders and pedestrians crossing the road you are entering. Remember to check your mirrors and blind spots so you can see riders that are approaching from behind.

On screen: Change to an intersection with a slip lane. An e-scooter rider is riding across the slip lane and a car wants to turn left using the slip lane. The car stops and waits for the rider to cross before turning.

Narrator: You must also give way to riders and pedestrians crossing slip lanes, regardless of whether there is a marked crossing.

On screen: Change to a zebra crossing. A bike rider and e-scooter rider are crossing. A car approached the crossing and stops and waits for the riders to cross before proceeding.

Narrator: Riders are allowed to use pedestrian crossings and drivers must give way to them. Always check for riders and pedestrians who are about to cross and remain stopped until they have made it across.

On screen: Change to a local street. A bike rider and e-scooter rider are riding along the footpath. Cars are wanting to turn into or out of driveways and wait for the riders to pass before turning.

Narrator: Riders often use footpaths, so it’s important to check and give way before turning into and out of driveways. Wait for any riders and pedestrians to pass before turning.

Narrator: Visit the Streetsmarts Queensland website for more information on sharing the road safely with riders.

On screen: Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.