Sunshine Coast Primary School Bans E-Scooters Over Safety Concerns – February 18, 2025

Incident Overview
Nirimba State Primary School on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has implemented a ban on e-scooters and other personal mobility devices on school grounds due to growing safety concerns. The decision follows an incident involving an underage student who nearly collided with a car while riding an e-scooter without a helmet. Principal Steven Moore emphasized that the school cannot condone the “inappropriate use” of such devices, particularly given the risks posed to young riders. Parents have been advised to park e-scooters across the road and ensure their children walk onto school grounds instead.

Location and Time
The ban was announced at Nirimba State Primary School, located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The decision was communicated to parents on Monday, February 17, 2025 , following a near-miss incident earlier that morning.

Background and Context
Queensland road rules stipulate that children under 12 are prohibited from using personal mobility devices such as e-scooters, while those aged 12 to 16 must ride under adult supervision. Despite these regulations, Principal Steven Moore noted an increasing number of students using e-scooters and e-bikes to commute to school, often without helmets or proper supervision.

The catalyst for the ban was a recent incident where a student under 12 years old was spotted riding an e-scooter without a helmet and narrowly avoided being hit by a car. Mr. Moore highlighted the potential severity of injuries had a collision occurred, stating: “If [a] collision had occurred, the injuries would likely have been substantial.”

School Policy and Parental Guidance
In his letter to parents, Principal Moore outlined the new policy:

• E-scooters, e-boards, and e-bikes are banned from school grounds.
• Parents are encouraged to park these devices across the road and have their children walk onto school grounds.
• Parents are reminded to ensure their children wear helmets when riding bikes or scooters in the community and on their way to and from school.

The school’s decision aims to prioritize student safety and align with Queensland road rules, which prohibit underage use of personal mobility devices.

Community Reaction
The announcement has garnered widespread support from parents and community members. A social media post about the ban attracted dozens of comments praising the school’s proactive approach. One parent wrote: “Let’s hope others follow suit. I really worry that one of these youngsters are going to crash and severely injure themselves.”

Rebecca Cronan, whose 13-year-old daughter Ruby-Storm Kayrooz suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car while riding an e-scooter in August 2024, applauded the decision. Ruby sustained collapsed lungs, a ruptured spleen, internal bruising, and a brain injury in the accident. Ms. Cronan stated: “I think it’s an excellent move for the safety of children … after what happened with my daughter, my belief is that children shouldn’t be on e-scooters at all.”

Ruby continues to experience short-term memory loss and requires ongoing medical care, highlighting the long-term consequences of such accidents. Ms. Cronan urged parents to reconsider purchasing e-scooters for their children, calling it “the biggest mistake of my life.”

Broader Implications
Nearby Baringa State School is reported to have a similar policy in place, reflecting a growing trend among schools to address safety concerns related to personal mobility devices. A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that individual school principals have the authority to make decisions regarding student road safety.

Donagh Freestun, chair of P&Cs Queensland, acknowledged the convenience of e-scooters but questioned their safety: “I know that they’re convenient, I know that it’s a way to get your child to school. But is it the safest way? Possibly not. You do hear of students being hit by cars, and you do hear of a lot of near misses.”

Pat Murphy, president of the Queensland Association of State School Principals, reiterated the importance of adhering to legal age restrictions, noting that most primary students are under 12 and therefore not permitted to ride e-scooters under Queensland law. He emphasized the shared responsibility of schools and parents in ensuring children travel safely to and from school.

Contributing Factors
The rise in e-scooter use among children has raised concerns about road safety, particularly in areas with high traffic volumes or limited pedestrian infrastructure. Potential contributing factors to accidents include:

• Lack of helmet use or protective gear.
• Underage riders operating devices without supervision.
• Inadequate awareness of road rules and safety practices among children and parents.
• Increased popularity of e-scooters as a mode of transport, leading to higher exposure to risks.