Matthew Condon, a Brisbane resident, has embraced electric scooter riding as a daily activity that combines health benefits, personal enjoyment, and a return to a youthful sense of freedom. Over the past year, he has developed a morning routine that includes traversing the river-adjacent bike paths of West End and South Brisbane before stopping for coffee at Southbank and continuing through the city’s botanical gardens and urban areas.
Condon recalls his early experiences with mobility on a childhood bicycle but views modern electric scooters as a revitalizing opportunity to regain a similar sense of enjoyment, albeit with safety precautions such as helmet use. Despite his enthusiasm, Condon acknowledges the concerns often expressed by family, friends, and the broader public about the risks associated with electric scooter use.
The safety challenges linked to electric scooters are underscored by recent research from Queensland. A study published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery documented 22 deaths related to electric scooters statewide between 2019 and October 2025. Most fatalities were caused by collisions involving single riders, with contributing factors including excessive speed, alcohol consumption, and improper helmet use. Head injuries were reported as the leading cause of death in these incidents.
Hospital emergency departments in Queensland have experienced a significant influx of e-scooter injury cases. According to data from the Queensland government, over 6,000 presentations related to scooter crashes were recorded from 2022 to 2025 across 36 participating hospital emergency units. At a major Brisbane hospital alone, 443 e-scooter-related injury presentations occurred within a 12-month period, involving extensive diagnostic procedures.
In response, Queensland introduced stricter regulations for e-scooter riders effective August 31, 2026. Riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid learner’s or driver’s licence. Speed limits have been set at 12 km/h on footpaths and shared paths, with a maximum of 25 km/h elsewhere. Helmet use is mandatory depending on the speed zone, while intoxication and mobile phone use while riding are prohibited. Additionally, all electric scooters must be restricted to a top speed of 25 km/h by February 28, 2027, or risk being deemed illegal and subject to police seizure.
While Queensland and several other states permit electric scooters on public roads under varying regulations, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory currently ban privately owned scooters in public spaces, allowing only approved rental schemes within designated zones.
Despite the safety concerns, health experts highlight potential benefits associated with electric scooter use. A 2025 study in the Journal of Transport and Health noted that while e-scooters offer less physical activity than walking or cycling, they may encourage broader engagement in active lifestyles by supplementing or replacing other modes of transport. E-scooters also provide easier access to green spaces and recreational areas, contributing to physical and emotional wellbeing.
Another recent study in the World Leisure Journal found that many riders perceive e-scooter use as a form of stress relief and a source of enjoyment, describing the experience as “freeing” and reminiscent of childhood freedom.
Condon plans to continue his early morning rides, maintaining that the benefits to his mental and physical wellbeing outweigh the potential risks, despite the evolving regulatory environment and ongoing public debate.