A recent incident involving an e-scooter rider and a toddler on the shared walkway at Howard Smith Wharves near Fortitude Valley has prompted mixed public reactions and renewed debate over how pedestrians and riders can safely use the same space. The incident comes just days after Queensland introduced updated personal mobility device laws on 1 July.
The shared pathway through Howard Smith Wharves is a key active transport link connecting the Brisbane CBD with the New Farm Riverwalk via Boundary Street. It is regularly used by pedestrians, runners, cyclists and e-scooter riders travelling through one of Brisbane’s busiest riverfront precincts.
The incident occurred near Felons Brewing Co when an e-scooter rider narrowly avoided colliding with a toddler who stepped onto the shared path. A verbal exchange followed between the rider and a nearby diner, with differing opinions over whether the rider’s speed or the child’s unexpected movement was the main factor behind the near miss.
The incident sparked mixed reactions from the public. Some argued that riders should reduce their speed further in busy pedestrian areas, while others said parents and carers also share responsibility for closely supervising young children around shared pathways. The differing views have renewed discussion about balancing the needs of pedestrians and riders in high-traffic public spaces.
Queensland’s New E-Scooter Rules
The incident occurred only days after Queensland introduced updated personal mobility device laws on 1 July.
Under the new rules, e-scooter and e-bike riders must slow to no more than 12 km/h when passing pedestrians on shared paths. They are also required to travel at a safe speed for the conditions, give way to pedestrians and remain in control of their devices. While bicycle riders are not subject to the same 12 km/h passing limit, they are still expected to ride responsibly around other path users.
State officials said the updated laws are designed to improve safety for both personal mobility device riders and pedestrians. They have indicated the rules are being actively enforced and have reminded riders to exercise extra caution in busy public areas to help reduce the risk of injuries.
Brisbane City Council has also reinforced that shared pathways are intended for all users and that riders should adjust their speed to suit crowded conditions rather than prioritising faster travel through busy precincts.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
Concerns about the Howard Smith Wharves shared pathway have been raised previously. Active transport advocates have questioned whether the current layout provides enough separation between faster-moving riders and pedestrians in one of Brisbane’s busiest hospitality destinations.
The route remains an important connection between Fortitude Valley, the Brisbane CBD and the New Farm Riverwalk, resulting in a high volume of mixed pedestrian and rider traffic.
During planning discussions last year, planning consultancy Urbis opposed proposals to introduce separate pedestrian and cycling paths within the precinct. Its submission stated that since Howard Smith Wharves opened in 2018, there had been 14 reportable incidents, including six involving pedestrians and bicycles or e-scooters. Based on those figures and an estimated five to six million annual visitors, the submission concluded the 500-metre shared route did not present an inherent collision risk.
Council approved an expansion of Howard Smith Wharves in May. The recent near miss has once again drawn attention to the challenge of safely accommodating pedestrians and riders along one of Brisbane’s busiest riverfront shared pathways.
Published 10-July-2026
