Segway safety advice not ignored, says Transport Minister Scott Emerson Segways will hit Queensland streets from Thursday. Queensland transport minister Scott Emerson has denied he ignored safety warnings from his own department to fast track the introduction of Segways. The battery-powered, self-balancing devices will be legal on Queensland streets from Thursday, in a move that makes the state the first in Australia to allow them. Mr Emerson denied he ignored safety warnings from police and transport authorities in a bid to expedite the legalisation, saying stringent safety restrictions will apply to their use. ""Segways operate in many European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, and the majority of American states and they can now be used safely in Queensland,"" he said. ""We are taking a safety-first approach to the introduction of Segways, including a speed limit of 12km/h, an age limit of 12, helmets, bells and the banning of mobile phones."" News Limited has reported documents obtained under Right to Information laws reveal Mr Emerson ignored safety concerns raised by police, the National Transport Commission and officials within the Department of Transport in a rush to legalise the devices. Mr Emerson denied the report. ""I'm satisfied that departmental staff have done their job by identifying issues and finding solutions,"" he said. Segway use is Queensland will be subject to much stricter safety requirements in Queensland than they are overseas. Mr Emerson announced earlier this month in addition to the speed, age limit and helmet restrictions, Segways would be confined to footpaths and bike lanes and to crossing roads at pedestrian crossings. They are expected to be widely used among tourist operators. ""This move is supported by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and police and I look forward to seeing them operating across Queensland,"" he said. The introduction of the devices has also come under fire from population health expert Tony McMichael, who said their use ""bodes ill for society"." ""These mini-vehicles, travelling at less than 12km/h, will impede the gradual shift from urban car reliance to walking and cycling - and, among other things, the reining in of our national obesity problem,"" he said.