Vanessa Hall 

Editor 

SUNSHINE Coast Council Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez has launched an e-petition addressed to the Honourable Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, asking that a raft of reforms be made to the laws surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters.

The e-petition, which went live on February 12, aims to draw attention to the House as to the “rising unsafe and anti-social e-bike and e-scooter use, increasing youth injuries, intimidation of residents, and limited enforcement powers.”

Cr Suarez stated that she was driven to start the e-petition due to public pressure from constituents asking, “What can be done?”

“When I am talking to people, in every three out of four interactions, somewhere in the conversation, the frustration and the behaviour around these devices will be mentioned.

“Residents have told me about harassment and safety issues, and whilst e-bikes and e-scooters can be a really good and legitimate form of active transport, and it is cheap and clean, without the proper guardrails in place, it is risky and costing lives.”

The e-petition sets out seven key points which Cr Suarez said she borrowed from recommendations already put forward by Sunshine Coast Council to the Parliamentary Inquiry on e-devices.

Key points include greater powers to QPS to seize and confiscate non-compliant devices, working with the Federal Government on stricter import laws and amending legislation whereby minors with unpaid fines cannot obtain a learner or provisional license.

The e-petition has been met with praise from other councillors and politicians, including independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.

“It is good to see others across our coast joining the advocacy regarding dangerous behaviours from illegal e-bikes and e-motorbikes, and I support this Parliamentary Petition by Cr Maria Suarez,” Ms Bolton said.

“Whilst we wait for the state government’s inquiry to finalise, we continue pushing for practical solutions and increased enforcement as further action is needed sooner, rather than later.

“As we have consistently raised, waiting for report recommendations from yet another inquiry is not addressing the urgent safety needs of all road and path users.”

Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Member for Ninderry, Dan Purdie, said that the LNP State Government acted quickly on the issue by way of establishing a Parliamentary Inquiry to address community concerns about the safety of e-bikes and e-scooters as soon as they took office.

“I acknowledge the local councillor’s recent petition, which mirrors the work of the existing Parliamentary Inquiry already underway,” Mr Purdie said.

“The Committee will shortly be releasing their recommendations, and I look forward to updating locals on the results of the extensive work that has been done.

“I can assure you that as a government, we are committed to ensuring that the best possible solutions are enacted and that we do everything we can to keep people safe in our community.”

The state-led Parliamentary Inquiry has until the end of March to be finalised. The e-petition from Cr Suarez will close on March 22 and will be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, March 24.

Cr Suarez stated that the tabling of the petition will serve as an official record.

“This will have the voices and opinions of the people being heard by the Ministers.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported this, and it is not something that will just benefit the Sunshine Coast; it will benefit the state.”

For more information on the e-petition, please Google – 4418-26 EMOBILITY SAFETY AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM

Do you have an opinion on how best to manage e-mobility devices? Why not send in a letter to editor@coolumadvertiser.com.au