With new speed limits for e-scooter riders in Queensland on the horizon, the government has outlined the fine structure for those doing the wrong thing.
The biggest ticket will be $1,078 for using your phone while riding.
Those caught speeding will face tiered fines from $143 to $575.
"The fines are going to hurt, they're designed to," Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
Currently the ticket for speeding is a flat rate of $191.
The ticket costs will come in with new speeding laws that limit riders to 12 kilometres per hour on footpaths and 25kph on bike paths and suburban roads.
Mr Bailey said the government had been working with stakeholders for the past 12 months to "get the balance right".
"We're bringing in from November 1st a 12 kilometre per hour speed limit on footpaths for e-scooters so that we can get the safety in mind so that pedestrians don't feel threatened by your scooters going by at high speeds," he said.
"But we still want to see e-scooters on those commuter runs. They can do up to 25 kilometres an hour … We think that's a reasonable level, given the limited manoeuvrability of these scooters.
"We don't want to stop people using e-scooters for commuting. Every person who uses an e-scooter for commuting isn't driving a car — that's a good thing.
The minister said the 25kph speed limit was in line with the national standard.
As of November 1, e-scooter use will be limited to roads with a speed limit under 50kph and where bike lanes are separated.
"If you've got a 60 kilometre an hour speed limit versus a 25 kilometre hour speed limit — there's too big a differential there.
Mr Bailey said "helmet use had to improve" around the state.
"We've had deaths from e-scooters, and not wearing a helmet is one of the biggest issues," he said.
"It can kill you; it can cause lifelong brain injuries."
Mr Bailey said bells would be mandated for all personal mobility devices with handlebars to limit close calls on busy paths.
'No direct involvement with us personally'
E-scooter shop owner Andre Dubicki said the whole industry was not consulted about the changes.
"Riding slow on a footpath won't stop you being hit by a car exiting their driveway, if they don't see you and you don't see them… you won't have enough space to stop, you're still going to get hit, so you want to get away from the footpath to begin with," he said.
"It's a good step that they allow now the scooters on the bike lanes and separate bike lanes, but they also have to build those bike lanes.
"There was no direct involvement from the government with us personally.
"In my opinion for a higher-rated scooter you should have to go through some sort of education. You have to have your license… So you know your rules, you know how to ride, and you're safe whereas now, they make you go slower, but you're still not really equipped with all the knowledge you should be equipped with."
