A screenshot of Queensland's rules for personal mobility devices outlining age restrictions, usage guidelines, and penalties for breaking the rules.

S1E58 RR360 eScooter eSkateboard eUnicycle PMD Laws

S1E58 RR360 eScooter eSkateboard eUnicycle PMD Laws

Imagine this. You’re gliding along a shared pathway on an e-scooter when a sudden jolt reminds you of the challenges on our streets. In this episode of Road Rules 360, Wendy Nash sits down withJohn Burrill, a former Transport and Main Roads official with 20 years of experience. Together, we unpack the history, complexities, and quirks of Queensland’s personal mobility device (PMD) legislation.

Did you know the first laws for PMDs were designed for Segways? It took years of determined work to adapt them to cover eScooters and other devices. Today, the rules include strict speed limits (maximum 25 km/h), size requirements, and guidelines for where you can legally ride. But many of these regulations now feel outdated and overly complicated.

John shares detailed stories about PMD users navigating rough paths and tight spaces, showing how the rules often clash with real-world challenges. We explore the struggle to align PMD rules with those for bicycles and other mobility options while keeping streets safe and accessible for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned eScooter user or someone keen to understand how to ride legally, this episode sheds light on how we can make the system work better for all.

⁠https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices⁠

⁠https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/initiatives/pmd-rules⁠

⁠www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

The Streets and People Podcast

Every day in Caboolture and Morayfield, people get left behind because they can’t drive. Some are too young. Some are older. Others live with disability or manage on a low income. You probably know 1 or 2 people in that situation.

We keep asking the same question: Why do cars get the red carpet while everyone else gets the gravel?

Get Around Caboolture is a local movement focused on practical transport solutions that work for more people. Through real stories and expert insights, our podcast highlights what’s missing – and what’s possible.

Our podcast series:

People & Projects (PnP): Interviews with researchers, advocates, and professionals working on transport solutions across Australia.

Not Everyone Drives (NED): Conversations with locals who don’t drive, sharing how transport access, or the lack of it, shapes their everyday lives.

Road Rules 360 (RR360)
Co-hosted with John Burrill, this series looks at road rules from all angles, with a focus on people walking, riding, scooting, or using mobility aids.

You’re invited to explore the episodes and learn more at www.GetAroundCaboolture.au.

Get Around Caboolture is a community movement advocating for more transport choice and less hassle.

Here are easy ways you can help us get better transport 

Feel free to share the love and post an episode to a friend or colleague you think would enjoy listening to it. 

If you like what we’re doing on our podcast, please review and rate as this helps the analytics :-)

Click here to find out how to help us get more transport options! 

Laura's family crossing the road
If you're interested in what we do, we could do with your support

Get Around Caboolture is a community movement advocating for more travel options for people in
Caboolture & Morayfield. 

Our Goals

1. All children can ride to school on safe streets 

2. All young adults can get to work or study without needing a car so they begin adulthood without a debt of $15,000 a year. 

A lack of transport options leads to a high financial burden for
families, businesses and governments.

The only way we can be sustainable for the long term is with your help. 

Photo: Dan Peled/The Guardian