New children’s hospital data from South Brisbane showing a sharp rise in serious e-scooter injuries has renewed safety concerns in Kangaroo Point, where residents say busy Green Bridge paths are becoming one of the city’s most dangerous pinch points for riders and pedestrians alike.
Doctors at Queensland Children’s Hospital in South Brisbane had recorded a steep increase in children admitted with serious e-scooter injuries, including head trauma and fractures requiring surgery or intensive care. While the study focused on hospital admissions, clinicians warned the injuries reflect how e-scooters are being used across Brisbane, particularly in high-traffic shared spaces.
Doctors involved in the hospital research said many injured children were riding without helmets or using devices not suited to their age. The injuries they reported were often consistent with high-speed impacts rather than low-level falls, raising broader concerns about how scooters interact with pedestrians in crowded areas.
Green Bridge identified as a local risk area
Those concerns have already surfaced in Kangaroo Point. In June 2025, a Queensland Police data and a parliamentary inquiry into personal mobility devices referenced a submission that specifically mentioned the Green Bridge and the surrounding Kangaroo Point paths. The submission raised issues about fast-moving scooters, limited space on shared paths and devices being left in ways that obstruct walkways.
The Green Bridge has become a key link for commuters, walkers and cyclists, increasing the volume of traffic through narrow riverside paths. Residents say the mix of pedestrians, families and riders travelling at different speeds has heightened the risk of serious crashes.
Injury trend continues despite existing rules
In 2024, emergency department presentations linked to e-scooters were rising across Queensland, even after safety rules were introduced. Doctors warned that falls at speed can cause life-changing injuries, particularly when riders are not wearing helmets or riding in crowded areas.
Police data included in that coverage showed thousands of infringement notices issued for offences such as riding without helmets and carrying passengers. Health experts said enforcement alone has not yet reduced the number of serious injuries presenting at hospitals.
National reporting has echoed concerns that hospital and police data may understate the true scale of e-scooter injuries because not all crashes result in formal treatment or reporting. Doctors believe incidents go unrecorded, particularly near busy urban corridors.
For Kangaroo Point residents, the combination of rising hospital admissions and local warnings about the Green Bridge has sharpened calls for safer behaviour on shared paths. Community members say slowing down in crowded areas, wearing helmets, and keeping footpaths clear would go a long way toward reducing risk before more riders end up in the hospital.
Published 3-Feb-2026
