Highland Ridge Road on Russell Island has felt unusually quiet of late, not because traffic has slowed, but because the island community has paused. The recent loss of a resident, found beside his e-scooter, has sparked conversations about road safety, shared responsibility, and how quickly life can change on our streets.
Locals have long raised concerns about lighting, safer shoulders, clearer lines, and roads that genuinely protect those who use them. And then there’s the other side of the equation, the way we ride, drive, and share our streets. E-bikes, scooters, and mobility devices are now a part of island life. Kids zip down to the shops, parents roll to work, older residents ride for independence and freedom. With school holidays approaching, more small wheels and wobbly handlebars will be on the roads.
The incident serves as a reminder that even small actions by each of us can make a difference. Slowing down, staying visible, switching on lights earlier than we think we need to, wearing helmets properly, and staying alert at dusk are simple steps we can all take. Safety isn’t a lecture, it’s a habit we practice together.
Left of centre as it sounds, community safety isn’t just signs and budgets. It’s an attitude. A shared agreement that every road on the islands should lead people safely home.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
