Riders scramble to ‘lock’ e-scooters to speed limits

Riders in Queensland are grappling with new regulations requiring electric scooters to be restricted to a maximum speed of 25km/h. The deadline for compliance is set for the end of February 2027, but many owners find the process complicated and confusing. Some are struggling to understand how to legally adjust their devices, while others face challenges in obtaining assistance from retailers or manufacturers. Under the new rules, newly purchased e-scooters must be sold with a pre-set speed limit of 25km/h. Existing owners can return their devices to "participating outlets," though many have found these options limited. Brendan Hemmings, owner of spare parts company eScootNow, reports receiving numerous calls daily from customers unsure how to comply with the regulation. He notes that the lack of a unified industry approach contrasts sharply with the existing assurance scheme for e-bikes. Speed-limiting methods vary depending on the model and manufacturer. Some advanced models or those sold in Europe are factory-limited to 25km/h or can be restricted through GPS tracking or registration. Others require installing a speed-limiter wire beneath the scooter's deck. Alternatively, users can modify settings such as P-settings, which allow adjusting the top speed percentage. For instance, reducing a 60km/h limit to 41% results in approximately 24.6km/h. Adjustments can also be made by selecting modes or gears between one and five, or switching between eco and turbo settings to achieve a closer approximation to the required speed. Hemmings highlights the complexity faced by ordinary users. He explains that non-original buyers of certain brands, like Ninebot, often encounter difficulties registering and logging in to make necessary adjustments. This lack of clear pathways adds to the confusion. Additionally, he points out that many high-end e-scooters cannot be precisely set to 25km/h due to limitations in their control systems, resulting in speeds ranging from 22km/h to 27km/h. These variations may affect performance, particularly when climbing hills, as many limited scooters only deliver 50% of their maximum torque. E-bike owners also face financial hurdles. Those without an EN15194 sticker must pay up to $70 for a verification check under a statewide assurance scheme beginning November 2. However, modified bikes that meet the 25km/h and 250-watt standards are excluded from the sticker program, as modifications might be undone after verification. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg attributes the absence of similar labeling for e-scooters to the lack of a consistent national or international standard. According to the Queensland government, the number of children hospitalized due to e-scooter or e-bike incidents has decreased significantly. Between July and September, seven children were admitted to the Queensland Children’s Hospital for over 24 hours, compared to 18 between January and March and 16 from April to June. Professor Roy Kimble, director of paediatric surgery, burns and trauma at the hospital, noted the decline following the implementation of new legislation on July 1. The government claims its measures strike a balance between enforcing safety standards and supporting responsible riders. However, the practical challenges of compliance remain evident, with many riders still navigating the complexities of adapting their devices to meet the new requirements.