Riding Smart, Staying Safe

Cairns Highway Patrol and Cairns Hospital have initiated a collaborative effort, dubbed Operation Yankee Surety, to enhance safety and compliance regarding the use of e-mobility devices. The operation, which spans from July 1, 2026, to June 31, 2027, aims to adapt to new legislative changes and mitigate unsafe behaviors among users of electrically power-assisted cycles (EPACs), e-scooters, and other personal mobility devices (PMDs).

The campaign responds to the surge in popularity of e-mobility devices, which, while providing an eco-friendly transportation alternative, have also led to an increase in hazardous incidents. Dr. Amanda McConnell, an emergency physician at Cairns Hospital, highlighted a significant rise in e-scooter-related injuries since their introduction in Cairns in 2022. “It is distressing to witness preventable injuries, especially among the youth, who could avoid such outcomes by adhering to speed limits and wearing helmets,” she stated.

Operation Yankee Surety not only seeks to remove illegal devices from roads but also to educate the public about the importance of responsible riding. Sergeant Greg Rose of the Cairns Highway Patrol emphasized the enforcement of road rules and the critical need for awareness and compliance to prevent severe injuries or fatalities. The operation underlines several guidelines: all riders must wear helmets, adhere to a 25km/h speed limit on roads, and ensure their devices do not exceed 6km/h under motor power alone.

For further details on e-mobility laws and safe riding practices, the public is encouraged to visit the Queensland government’s dedicated e-mobility safety page.