Riding an electric scooter is now officially legal in Queensland, but a change in regulation has come with a new $130 fine for anyone caught misbehaving.
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The new rules, which come into effect on Friday, include a speed limit of 25km/h for "rideables", which must have effective brakes and nothing sharp that could injure a pedestrian.
Helmets must be worn while riding and users cannot carry a passenger.
Children under 12 are not allowed to ride and people aged under 16 must be supervised by an adult.
Users must ride in a safe manner and give way to pedestrians, while scooters can be ridden on paths, including the bicycle side of a shared path.
They cannot be ridden on Brisbane CBD roads and riders should avoid interacting with traffic.
A new fine of $130 has been created for the "incorrect use of personal mobility devices", while speeding will incur a $174 fine.
Last month, Transport and Main Roads wrote to US company Lime to warn users would be breaking several laws if they took one of its "illegal" scooters during a trial in Brisbane, with fines of up to $10,444.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey later intervened to announce Lime would be offered a temporary exemption during a review of Queensland's laws and regulations, which has culminated in the changes this week.
Lime's electric-powered scooters can travel at speeds of up to 27km/h and can be found and hired using a map on its mobile app, rather than left at a docking station, such is the case with CityCycles.
Mr Bailey said changes to road rules were in response to the growing popularity and use of electric scooters, bikes and other forms of transport, and would protect people using paths and roads.
"We are seeing different kinds of rideables on footpaths and public spaces and there are companies offering personal transport services looking to invest here, so we need to make sure our laws support these changes," he said.
"We began our review of Queensland's regulations for rideables earlier this year in anticipation of these changing transport options.
"Since that review began, a number of personalised transport operators have expressed interest in coming into the Queensland market."
Mr Bailey said the announcement would give certainty to people who wanted to ride the devices and companies which wanted to offer them as a service.
"We're not quite there with hoverboards but these rule changes will provide some guidance on how our public spaces should accommodate the range of other transport devices that are out there now," he said.
Mr Bailey said people should also ride responsibly during the festive season.
"It's important to remember, especially during Christmas and New Year celebrations, that drinking and riding do not mix," he said.
"Dangerous riding behaviour can and will be enforced by the Queensland Police Service."
It is understood multiple companies have approached Brisbane City Council seeking to roll out electric scooters.
The council envisaged only one scooter company operating in Brisbane going forward, and that operator would be chosen by a competitive tender process.
